Bus Drivers

The bus rolls up to the curb. The brakes exhale and the doors move apart, the bus ready for me to board. What will the ride be like today I wonder. I have favorite bus drivers, but I don’t know them from their faces or greetings. I know them from the moment they take a…

Riding the Bus in Low Vision

The best advice my O&M teacher gave me? “No surprises.” This means doing recon before riding to determine the safest, most logical route, door to door. Once I know which bus I should be taking, I get out there. Things that make it easier for me to catch and ride and exit the bus: I…

Bus Fare

I use a farecard for my bus fare. I don’t like the hassle of coins and cash and the card simplifies things for me. When my balance nears zero, I add more money online and the next day I ride the bus, the farebox transfers the extra amount to my card. If the system works….

Kindness

I cross the street and tap my way towards the bus stop. A young man stands there already, looking down the road at the bus that is approaching. It is still a few blocks away. I can’t tell which route it is even with my monocular. “Excuse me,” I say to him, leaning on my…

A Voice in the Heat

A lady stands at the street crossing, so I don’t push the signal button. The light changes. We do not get the WALK sign. After two cars turn, the road clears. Time remains on the light cycle. I reach the other curb, and I tap to the bus stop bench. I arrive before the early…