Boy, I never thought I’d hear myself saying those words — raving about public transportation. Back in California, public transportation (bus & train) around the area around which I lived was something someone did only if they had no other forms of transportation, because of the “unsavory” element that came with riding the bus or train. It was something I never had to do, and when I moved to Oregon I learned that most people used the Tri-Met Train (The Max, as it’s called) to go in and out of Portland.
Over the past year and a half, my oldest daughter has used The Max many times with her friends when she wants to go and hang out in Portland. She always told me how nice it was, and fun. Fun? Hmmm, maybe for a teenager, but I couldn’t imagine I’d enjoy the ride all that much. So, when I got my jury duty summons, the letter that came with it suggested that anyone who was able to take The Max should, because parking in the area was limited. I saw this as an opportunity to broaden my horizons and give Oregon public transportation a try.
The Max station is less than a mile away from where I live, and when I mapped out my route to the courthouse, I discovered that the ride itself on the train was only 10 minutes away, compared to the 1/2 hour drive it would take me in traffic if I drove there myself. So, I paid my fare, got onto the train, and was pleasantly surprised how nice the ride was . . . and fun, too. The Max train itself was super clean, and the people who got on and off the train actually met my eyes and SMILED (California is all about the “glare”). I was able to enjoy the scenery as the train passed different areas of the city, and when I was finally dropped off at my destination it was a quick one block walk to the courthouse. I actually looked forward to taking the train back home after my jury summons!
I would readily admit that I wouldn’t hesitate to take The Max again – - to anywhere! This was a quick ride to the courthouse, but I think it would be fun to take the train into Portland one day, just to see the area. And I think on an upcoming weekend Don and I will do just that!
So, how many of you have taken public transportation before? What was your experience like? Good or bad?
JURY UPDATE: I’m thrilled to announce that I was not chosen as a juror for the murder trial I’d mentioned in last week’s blog! I’m so relieved! 
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
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Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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I live about 30 minutes outside the city (Chicago), and it’s a nightmare driving plus parking is so expensive. We have the L (CTA) train here, or Metra. Metra is cleaner, but the L seems to be the one I use the most. I don’t mind it, and it’s definitely convenient. I’m not so good with buses, but I do like taking the train.
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Janelle I am glad you were not picked I had the some thing happen to me but I know with my health history I would not be able to be on it so I had a doctor note. I think it could be fun to be on one if it wasn’t murder trial I would never sleep.
The Max sounds like fun, where I live we just have buses and I used to ride it all the time but I would not like to ride them anymore. At least here they don’t seem to take very good care of them. Glad you had a good time.
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I’ve only used Nashville’s bus service to get to a Titan’s game. Metro will bus everyone to and from the game for about $10. Since it cost between $15-20 to park downtown on game day, it’s a better deal to park and ride. I rode the subway in NY when I was in high school and have used both the L and buses in Chicago. I’ve had pretty good experiences so far.
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Where I live there is no public transportation. The city leaders say there are buses we just don’t have any designated bus stops.
I live in a very small town.
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The MAX is awesome. We use it all of the time when we go into PDX. My middle son looks forward (sometimes) to that more than what we are going to go do in Portland.
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When we lived in DC, I loved taking the Metro downtown to the Mall. Inexpensive, no hassles with parking, clean. This past summer, I had several occasions to ride the Metro and found it just as terrific as I remembered it.
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I’ve ridden the Metro in DC but that’s all. If I lived in a town that had public transportation, like the Metro, I’d use it. But I’m like Gigi, we live in a town that’s fairly small. And while it does have buses that run, it doesn’t make sense to take one when I’d have to drive to town to get on it. LOL
Glad you were dismissed for jury duty!!
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I rode the MARTA train a few times when we lived in Atlanta and I can’t say I found it at all enjoyable. In fact, it was fairly stressful both times…once we were accosted by a drunk, another time by a guy wearing a very heavy trenchcoat in the middle of a hot September…he spend the entire time staring down the security guard who rode with us…I kept waiting for a shoot-out.
However, I have ridden the trains quite a bit in Chicago and love it!
Florida is getting a train now between Tampa and Orlando. I might just take that one a few times. Seems really convenient, depending on where you park your car. If it’s downtown, which I think it will be, they’re going to have to have a lot of security. Our downtown is dead at night, except for the people who are up to no good. Going won’t be a problem, but coming back late after a day in Disney might be.
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Janelle, I’m so glad you weren’t picked for jury duty.
I have ridden the light rail here in Denver and it is nice. It’s clean and there are no shady people on it. Most people who work downtown ride it to work. If I had to go downtown to work every day I would definitely ride it. It’s fast and so convenient. They have places where you can park your car, jump on the train and go.
I’m taking two on-line classes this month–one is on Celtic history and the other is called The Art of Sail–all about ships and ship life etc. I’m so excited. I love history and I don’t know why I’ve resisted writing historicals for so long. But no more!
Have a great day everyone,
Cher
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have fun with your classes!!
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The public transportation where I live isn’t all that great, but I use public transportation all the time when I travel. While I’m not really a big fan of the DC metro, the subway systems in New York City, London, and Moscow are great. And the BART in San Francisco is definitely the best way to get into and out of the city.
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I take public transportation almost daily. Especially since I no longer live within walking distance to the grocery store. I refuse to drive, and hate asking people for rides, so I resulted to a life of public transportation years ago. Since I still live in the college area of Monterey, there are many college students on the bus. However, I do feel a little uncomfortable taking it after dark. If only students can ride free everywhere instead of just when boarding on campus. I also take the bus/train to visit my family 90 miles north of me. Although it makes the the trip at least twice as long, I like the convenience of being able to hop on the bus and transfer to a train. Typical CA style, I usually don’t make eye-contact or initiate conversation with anyone. I just keep to myself and try to enjoy the ride.
<3 J
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There is some public transportation in my area but I’ve never used it. It takes two times or more time to get to where you need to go! That said, my daughter & grandson live in the area & use public transportation. There is a bus stop right by the apartment they live in. She has made it work for years and I admire her for that. Cars are expensive to buy & own!!
I’ve ridden BART, which was fun and would do so again. I’ve also used the ferry service into San Francisco to avoid the high cost of parking. That is also fun & cheaper than driving into the city where you pay to cross the Golden Gate & really pay for parking plus the traffic is horrible!! If you are in a big city I think they are more inclined to have better public transportation.
Glad you discovered MAX!
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I live in a rural section of Oregon and no public transportation to be had.
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Hey Janelle! Congrats on not being chosen for Jury Duty…
I grew up taking public transport. I started taking the train by myself when I was twelve years old. Takin gthe subway and buses is a necessary skill when growing up in NYC. My experience was okay, but when I got older things got a little hairy. On crowded trains there are a lot of gropy perverted people. I had to stab someone with my 9 inch nail file…it was a weapon now that I looked at it, because he couldn’t keep his hands and other parts of himself off my behind. I was about 15 years old then. Other than that, my trips have been pleasant. I learned to sleep on the train and wake up in time for my stop. I am very aware of what is going on though. The best public transport I have been on in the States is the Metro in DC. Outside of the US, I would have to say that the subway system in Korea is the cleanest by far. People look at you, but they don’t necessarily stare you down, even if you are the only person of color around. I felt safe there too. I am glad you had a pleasant trip. Public transportation is a great way to get around.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I used to take the bus to and from work when I was still in Syracuse. NY people are so much more social than NYC or CA ones on public transpo. We had our regulars and used to talk on the way home. On the way in it would be quieter. Especially the 8 hours we were all stuck together during a snow storm and it took that long to get me home- I was toward the end of the trip out.
I enjoy the NYC Subway and the DC Metro too. they have always been easy to take. But I love the T in Metro Boston and areas. I used to take it all the time. One time when heather was young and we were on it, there was a flasher.
She was about 7 or 8 and was reading a book like a seasoned pro on the train. He flashed,she looked out the window at him and went back to her book. No reaction. His face was priceless!! I think it is the only problem I have ever had on any of them.
I wish we had decent service here but the buses in my area suck and since I would only go into Albany it’s useless. I really feel for the people who do take them all the time here.
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Yay for no jury duty! As for public transportation… I live in an area that doesn’t really have it. Or… I wouldn’t really want to use it O_o
And the buses in Seattle – or actually, the trolly was fine too.
But in big[ger] cities? Totally. Love the DC, NYC, & Boston Metro’s/Trains/T’s. Heh. Local lingo
Otherwise… usually it’s driving. And regardless of location, it is always nice to a) have a car or b) know someone with a car.
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I love the MAX! I don’t have much opportunity to ride because I live in an outlying area that is only served during the week (why not the weekend? Who knows). I especially like riding to the Zoo.
Having lived in the LA basin I understand, and appreciate, how much different this system is. We are surely blessed to live here.
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yes, u bet i’ve taken public trans before…and for the most part it’s fun…and ok…but sometimes I’ve just sorta looked out the window to avoid the characters that come along…but for the price…you can’t beat it. and you get to relax too…we take the T into MIT whenever the girls have the state scifair…it’s nuts but quick.
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There is public transport here I do use it just about every day either to get to work or study.
Although I do have issues with the transportation here, I do recognize that the fact there is a decent service is better than some areas of the country. Having experienced public transport in a few other places, I can definitely say that the time table and state of the transportation can have a huge impact on how it feels to rely on it.
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Hi, I know I am a day late but I hope you get this just the same.
Our public transportation in Vegas is horrible. The bus takes hours, literally, to get anywhere, and the monorail is mainly for the strip.
I was in Portland and Chicago and various parts of the former USSR about 17-18 years ago (OMG that long?!!?) and LOVED their public transportation. I am sure if we lived where reliable, time friendly, transportation was available, I would gladly use it.
:)
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I attended George Mason University in Fairfax, VA back in 1987-1991. I did a lot of stuff in Washington, D.C., and taking the Metro (subway) was easy and relatively cheap. Not to mention, I didn’t have to worry about paying for parking! I was privileged to be able to utilize the Library of Congress for some of my research papers and I had some extra-curricular theatre classes in areas of town with little to no parking.
I LOVED the Metro!