We all have our own methods for navigating our daily lives — this includes commuting to and from the workplace.
Be it train, bus, ferry, car or good old-fashioned walking, we must know the tricks to get us past the hurdles, the surprises, the challenges that we face almost daily.
My spouse has his troubles as he navigates the tri-state each morning on his way to work. I worry about him, as other vehicles cruise right past him and he’s already doing 70MPH. Yet, this stress is typical for most of us before we even arrive at our workplace.
A little over one year ago, I started taking a shuttle bus between Chicago’s Union station and my office building. The first six months went well, until a replacement driver was thrust into play.
He’s a mild-mannered fellow, and I don’t mean to throw him under the bus [pun intended]. Problem is, he’s a very timid driver and that’s not something you can be when driving in Chicago’s Loop — especially during rush hour.
He once turned the bus and rolled up onto the curb. Hey, this happens to the best of us. Except he didn’t come down from the curb — rather, he kept driving with his port-side wheels running along the curb for another half block. Somehow, he didn’t seem to be bothered by this episode.
He also drives very slowly and hesitates when there’s a stale green light. Rather than taking his opportunity and crossing the intersection, he slows down and eventually stops at a yellow light. Because of this habit of his, there were a few times when I caught my evening train by the skin of my teeth.
And I’m not happy when I’m frustrated.
I SEARCHED FOR ALTERNATIVES…
Fed up, I realized it was time to find alternative options. Fortunately, there are many available choices in this City.
I TURNED TO THE CTA
I found CTA’s No. 156 LaSalle bus takes me very close to my office. Plus I’m saving at least $40 per month with the bus vs. the private shuttle. Two positives for me!
A third positive occurred when a slight bus detour went into effect due to bridge repair work. Now I can hop on/hop off the CTA bus since it stops right across the street from my building. How lucky is that! For once, I’m hoping construction work takes a very long time.
TROUBLE ENSUES
Sure. This was all going quite well with the CTA. That is, until they change their departure schedules at whim. In the morning, I’ve missed a few buses, since the departure time had been amended and the bus leaves two minutes earlier than what I expected.
My frustration builds…
One evening, I was waiting for the bus around 5:15PM. There I was, happy as a clam that I only had to cross the street to get to the bus stop. Two other commuters waited along with me, as we stomped our feet and wiggled about in order to keep ourselves from freezing in Chicago’s sub-zero temperatures that week.
Imagine our surprise when the 156 bus swooped by us, as the driver clearly took the incorrect route and sped right past us down a different street!
THIS IS WHERE STRATEGY KICKS IN
I uttered a few words which I will not repeat here. However, all was not lost. I “quickly” trudged back to my building and caught the 5:15 shuttle to Union Station.
Discussing this new route with my co-worker, she had troubles of her own. It seems the bus driver on the detour was unaware that he should stop at the temporary detour stop. Even as she jumped up and down on Clark Street and furiously waved her arms, the driver sailed right past her — not once, but twice! — on a frigid January evening.
She and I made alternative plans. We now catch the bus two blocks further down, where we know the driver should not miss us. It’s not something we look forward to in the cold weather, but what choice do we have??
THINGS ARE NEVER PERFECT
I took my 156 bus this morning, and all went well. I pulled down the “stop cord” as we approached my destination. I made my way toward the front of the bus and readied myself to alight at my stop.
Except today’s driver just kept on driving — no slowing down — no hesitation whatsoever.
“I need to get off here, please!” I called out.
He said nothing. But he did swing his bus over the corner, where I alighted for the 99th time this year and made my way to the office.
I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. At least I have options for transportation. Plus, I’m saving $$ overall. I always consider the fact that I’m utilizing my brain cells in a positive manner, as I maneuver and strategize my way through the city — morning and night. At this point in my life, keeping my cognitive skills in order is imperative to me.
So, if commuting doesn’t keep you on your toes — nothing will.
Thank you for reading – PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST
PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST 