Sue Hackbarth, ASU

Nightmare Becomes Dream

My move to Cave Creek in July 2006 prompted me to call Valley Metro to see what my options might be for commuting to Downtown Phoenix.  I learned about the Park-N-Ride Express Bus with a drop off point in Phoenix only one block from my office.  I was delighted and thought I’d give it a try.  Almost 2 years later I’m still riding that bus. 

Oh, how I love whizzing by the cars stuck in bumper to bumper traffic as I speed along on the bus in the HOV lane.  And riding the bus has kept the mileage low on my new car. I only fill up the gas tank once a month now!  Plus, I was able to give myself a raise – no more monthly deductions for parking taken out of my paycheck!  And to top it all off, I ride the bus for FREE because my employer, ASU, provides bus passes at no cost to all employees and students.

So, instead of fighting traffic and desperately searching for a parking space everyday, I read, take a catnap, knit, visit with fellow bus commuters or just day dream. Thank you Valley Metro!

Josh Mayer, Bank of America

A Bus Rider’s Poem
By Josh Mayer

The bus shows up, always on time
Sleepy-eyed passengers get in line
A friendly smile awaits their arrival
Coffee in hand ensures their survival
While folks settle in you hear “Hello” and “Hi”
As oranges and reds paint the morning sky
“Sit back and relax,” the engine seems to say
For the next thirty minutes put your worries away
Open a book or just close your eyes
Crank up the tunes or fantasize
Your daily journey is just beginning
You can’t help but feel that somehow you’re winning
You could be in traffic, miserable and stressing
Is there an accident?  You’ll always be guessing
But no, not today, you did a good thing
Helping the earth and your wallet has a nice ring
You wonder if people will ever just get it
And sell their gas guzzlers for a hybrid tax credit
I know that it’s easier said than done
And taking the bus is step number one
So for those who need guidance and still drive the street
Get up, take the bus, go to work, repeat.

Kelly McCarty, Maricopa County

Though up to the challenge, my car and I were up to our eyeballs in pollution, traffic and high gas costs.  Everyday we headed west and set our sights on the tall buildings just barely visible through the brown cloud, and we’d have a talk. 

“Car, we need to do something about this” I said as we sat there day after day.  “It’s about time we do our part to save what remains of our blue sky.”  Car obviously agreed. 

One day at work, a coworker who looked much happier than me informed me that there was an express bus route right by my house.  Within a week I was riding the Valley Metro with other people just like me. 

Now the commute is a stress free, smooth sail down the freeway.  It’s my time to sit back, relax, catch up on some reading, and even manage to get a few naps in!  With the money that I’ve saved in gas, I started a savings fund for a cruise to the Carribean! 

What about Car you ask?  Car gets to rest at a local park-and-ride and meet other cars just like her.