Aug 09 2002
Love/hate: Public Transit
Love/hate for Friday, August 9, 2002
Public Transit
I hate public transit. In fact, my very first post on this blog was on that very topic. That’s why I walk to work and back every day, up and down the unforgiving, dizzying hills of this beautiful city.
Despite being exercise- and sweat-averse, I’d rather do both than be packed into a smelly bus, at the mercy of other people’s boring conversation and lethal cologne. I don’t want to wait around for the bus, either. I’d rather just go out the door and walk to work as fast as I can. I have actually gotten the time down to half an hour, door to door, and it’s more than a mile and a half each way. Yay me.
I think that’s partly why I hate flying, too, besides the fear and boredom. Basically, it’s a really big flying bus, with an even longer wait time to get on and off, with all the unattractions of the bus but with added public bathroom horror potential.
The one exception – and I nearly always have one exception, if not more – is the cable car. Yes, it’s Muni, but it’s so charming that it more than makes up for it. And some days, the temptation to hop on one of America’s only moving landmarks and be pulled up the hill by the H.G. Wells-type cables at a stately 9 miles per hour can be almost overwhelming. Especially if it’s raining.
One Response to “Love/hate: Public Transit”
I *loathe* public transit. I completely understand everything you’re saying.
I will admit to thoroughly enjoying traveling the cable cars while in San Francisco. I traveled them all from end to end for kicks while I was there. I can agree that the cable car is an acceptable form of transportation.