Today was the first of many more 'Transit Training' classes to come. Thanks to University School of Nashville (USN) and the parent association's Evening Class program, we partnered with the Mayor's office, MTA and Transit Now Nashville to create a learning experience for about 15 Nashville residents. The class participants ranged from age 6 to 60 and were interested in learning more about transit options in Nashville. We had a blast!
After meeting at USN, Mayor Dean gave us an overview of the history, progress and future plans for public transit. He also spoke about this blog (nice) and the USN teacher whose poem was featured on the bus as part of the 'Poetry in Motion' April campaign. Freya Sachs actually read the group her featured poem and we all boarded the bus for our venture to the bus depot. There we were greeted by Judy Shelton, an MTA Travel Trainer who toured us around the Music City Central facility, answered our questions and gave us several printed materials to assist us in our travels.
From there, we took the bus to Farmer's Market where we had a marvelous lunch provided at a great discount by am@fm. We then boarded the local Blue Circuit bus to get back to the depot to catch the bus back to USN. The weather could not have been better, the class was informative and enjoyable, and the participants and sponsors were gracious and grateful. What a wonderful opportunity to learn and experience public transit in a group setting that is fun and less intimidating. Please keep an eye out for future posts announcing future Travel Training Camps. Happy Travels!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Right Time, Right Place
I truly believe we are where we are when we need to be there, in most, if not all, situations in life. Today was a bitter sweet day for me in many ways, so I debated whether to stay in or go out and enjoy this beautiful weather. I decided to venture out to Belmont to do some homework, but the bus schedule and time that I would be traveling meant that I would have to wait at the depot for about 20 minutes.
Since I'm trying hard to live in the moment, and not worry about lost time (sometimes referred to as wasted?) or lost opportunities, I decided to sit and enjoy a book I'd been reading. While waiting, I met one of the drivers who used to drive the bus on my home route; today he was starting a new route that just happened to be the one I was taking. He admitted he was a little nervous about the new route and had taken the time to do his 'homework' by studying the streets, turns and times on the route to be sure. Just about that time, another driver came up who used to drive this same route, and assured the new driver that he would be just fine, and that regular riders like myself would help him along the way.
As we got going, I also re-assured my driver friend that he would do well on this new route, and enjoy the regular passengers, too. I told him that I would stay near the front of the bus, but not say anything unless he was going the wrong way. I had even decided that if he wanted me to, I would ride the majority of the route with him so he would feel reassured.
Well, of course, he did a great job, and was so grateful for the confirmation from a regular rider. But for me, it was more than helping out a driver. I reminded him of the one time in my more than 2 years of riding the bus when I was genuinely frightened, and he helped me.
It was late one evening after my classes at Belmont, and there was a man on the bus that was acting strangely. I didn't think much of it, but when I got to my stop, he jumped off right behind me and looked at me in a menacing way. Immediately, I jumped back on the bus and told this same driver I didn't feel comfortable. He told me that he recognized the man and had put him off before. As we rode the rest of that route, he gave me tips on how to protect myself (he was a former cop) and what to look out for. When we arrived at my stop again, he helped me look around to make sure the coast was clear and also alerted the authorities to be in the area. I was reassured beyond measure, and ever grateful. I made it home safely and felt that he had been my angel that night.
So, to take the time today to in a small way return the favor of reassurance was a pleasure. Again, I think I was there for his first run on a new route the same way he was the driver (and an ex-cop) the night I felt unsafe. Confirmation for me that we are where we need to be when we need to be there. Comforting, isn't it?
Since I'm trying hard to live in the moment, and not worry about lost time (sometimes referred to as wasted?) or lost opportunities, I decided to sit and enjoy a book I'd been reading. While waiting, I met one of the drivers who used to drive the bus on my home route; today he was starting a new route that just happened to be the one I was taking. He admitted he was a little nervous about the new route and had taken the time to do his 'homework' by studying the streets, turns and times on the route to be sure. Just about that time, another driver came up who used to drive this same route, and assured the new driver that he would be just fine, and that regular riders like myself would help him along the way.
As we got going, I also re-assured my driver friend that he would do well on this new route, and enjoy the regular passengers, too. I told him that I would stay near the front of the bus, but not say anything unless he was going the wrong way. I had even decided that if he wanted me to, I would ride the majority of the route with him so he would feel reassured.
Well, of course, he did a great job, and was so grateful for the confirmation from a regular rider. But for me, it was more than helping out a driver. I reminded him of the one time in my more than 2 years of riding the bus when I was genuinely frightened, and he helped me.
It was late one evening after my classes at Belmont, and there was a man on the bus that was acting strangely. I didn't think much of it, but when I got to my stop, he jumped off right behind me and looked at me in a menacing way. Immediately, I jumped back on the bus and told this same driver I didn't feel comfortable. He told me that he recognized the man and had put him off before. As we rode the rest of that route, he gave me tips on how to protect myself (he was a former cop) and what to look out for. When we arrived at my stop again, he helped me look around to make sure the coast was clear and also alerted the authorities to be in the area. I was reassured beyond measure, and ever grateful. I made it home safely and felt that he had been my angel that night.
So, to take the time today to in a small way return the favor of reassurance was a pleasure. Again, I think I was there for his first run on a new route the same way he was the driver (and an ex-cop) the night I felt unsafe. Confirmation for me that we are where we need to be when we need to be there. Comforting, isn't it?
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