After a hiatus I am back to talk about something that is really grinding my gears… Public. Transportation.
So as many of you know, due to “The Man” holding me down, I no longer have a drivers license. Now that may not stop some people from driving, but after my time in the big house, I will not be driving without a license. So I am now stuck to public transportation. Well, the problem is that I live in Denver Colorado. Sure, our transit system is probably better than Kansas or Iowa… but let’s face it, Denver is not known for its Public Transportation system. However, I do love Denver. So I tolerate it. And also, I don’t have a whole lot of choice. But people really don’t understand the luxury of driving. Ever since I have become a perma-passenger I have really noticed a lot of things about driving culture that I never realized when I drove.
One thing I talk about a lot is how distracted we all are when we drive. It’s like everyone knows how texting and driving is a big issue and will bitch about other drivers saying “ugh they were probably texting or something” but then they turn and start texting while driving (admittedly I was completely guilty of that). People really feel invincible on the roads because it’s such a routine that you don’t realize how dangerous driving can be! But along with people’s driving habits, let me tell you, you don’t understand how much of a privilege it is to drive until you’re not able to anymore. I was inspired to write this post when I wanted to “run to target” really quickly after work. While I was making my journey back to my apartment, I realized it took me as long to take public transportation back home as it would have taken me to FLY to Vegas. That is just obnoxious. And I deal with it because I don’t have a whole lot of options. I whine about it, but that’s the most I can do.
Yes… this is exactly what it’s like waiting for the bus in a snowstorm sometimes. Not joking.
The thing that gets me is how people don’t seem to comprehend how inconvenient not driving is. So many people act like it’s a minor inconvenience. Which, in reality, it is a minor inconvenience if I just had to live my life and not schedule according to anyone else. But this is America. And I am young and social. So I do have to coordinate with other people. And even something like errands need to be planned out. See, public transportation wouldn’t be nearly the hassle it is if everyone else understood how it worked. My life runs according to other people’s schedules. If I have to stay late at work, I need to check it with the bus schedule to make sure my bus will still be running and sometimes I have to pack up and finish later because if I don’t catch the bus, it adds on another hour to what would be a 15 minute drive. If I leave a couple minutes late, that means I arrive usually about 40 minutes late. When I need to “pick something up” for a pot luck or party, I have to account 2 hours, not an extra 10 minutes. What would be a 5 minute drive to the ATM, is a half hour walk, and a half hour back. It’s the fact that people don’t seem to understand how much time is eaten up by waiting for buses or because my little chevrolegs can only get me so far in a short amount of time. And let’s not even START on how often the bus is unreliable, not on time, leaves early before you get to the stop… etc.
The funny thing is that America seems to be one of the few countries who relies so heavily on driving. But we’re pretty spoiled here in America. But when you sit back and think about it, the amount of money we spend on driving is absurd! Between auto loans, car insurance, gas, car maintenance and repairs… It’s incredible! The thing is, most people can’t imagine giving up their cars. And if you DON’T have a car, you’re automatically judged. Usually the assumption is that you’re poor, a hoodlum, or one too many DUI’s. Why is it that public transportation is looked down upon here?? I like to tell myself that I’m really doing it because I’m “going green” and helping the planet. But no one would ever assume that. Usually it’s just assumed that you’re “too poor” to afford a car. Well maybe I’d like to allocate that money to something else. Maybe people who aren’t driving are really saving every penny to let it accumulate and eventually become millionaires.
Anyway, what I want to ultimately say is, excuse me for bitching a lot about the fact that I can’t drive. But it’s the only thing I can do to stay sane. And the longer I go without driving the more annoyed I become at people who act like it’s just a minor inconvenience but they themselves wouldn’t dream of giving up their car. The fact that I go out and still meet up with people shows a lot more effort than you think so I’m sorry if I can’t make it to every gathering. I challenge anyone to rely SOLELY on Public Transportation for just a week and then we can talk about how “at least I’m used to it”. Because when most people are without a car for a week they get a rental or get a ride to work. Start figuring out Public Transportation and what a huge pain in the ass it is to do anything. Then we can talk about what it’s like to be without that luxury for 5 years.
But I have to admit, I did meet my boyfriend on the light rail one night and so I suppose there’s a silver lining in there every so often 😉
Destination: Beautiful 