Like many New Year’s resolutions my resolution to ride the bus to work and home one day a week is off to a bad start. I have not given up altogether though. Most of my failed intention is on me. I hope I do not offend anyone by this post, but my intentions are to be honest an forthright in all endeavors. While I have visited many cities an utilized their public transportation and never thought twice about it (except to make sure I was getting on and off at the right place), using public transportation in Oklahoma feels so awkward… and I feel disgust rising in my body for feeling that. Even walking to get from one place to another in Oklahoma feels awkward… and that is even more disgusting. But we, or at least I, have to face the culture in which I was raised and fight it. Part of the fight for me is being honest about where I am so that I can make true improvements to my psyche and my actions. The honest truth is that growing up I had no problem with walking all over town, but once my friends started getting cars my legs became obsolete and besides school buses and airplanes I have never used public transportation in the state. I don’t imagine myself too out of the ordinary here for those of us raised in Oklahoma (this is not the part of normal that I have ever longed for). Needless to say I have many mental blocks which I must overcome to get on the bus. My car to me means independence and freedom which has always been a big deal to me, but as I have recently realized FREEDOM, at least in most circumstances, is a state of mind. Being able to ride the bus is a freedom, choosing to ride the bus is a freedom, no one is forcing me. I want ride the bus because I know that if we all used public transportation it would improve dramatically then more people would use it and emissions would be lower and we and our world would be healthier.
Think Portland's Max -- photo by: SLRCindy
I can’t do anything about anyone else but I can “be the difference I wish to see in the world” which is what I try do do with my life. Try being the operative word as I am FAR from perfect. Back to the bus, another block is that I am slightly afraid of the bus stops by my house and the walk to them. This is something else that I am embarrased to admit, but that is the way it is at the moment. I don’t live in the worst neighborhood, but it is also not the best. I feel safe walking the dogs through the neighborhood streets, but standing alone on Yale, Sheridan, 21st, or 31st is not the most comforting thought. For mine and my husbands peace of mind I may have to wait until mom is visiting to start this journey so that I will not be alone. Now that I have covered my own flaws that have prevented me from fulfilling my New Year’s resolution this week I must say that Tulsa Transit does not make it easy. First the website could use some organization (of course I am no pro at it so don’t look to me for answers as to how), then the maps and schedules could be explained a little more clearly (agian not my strong suit), we could stand to have a few more stops, and finally I know I have seen more stops than are identified on the maps. From there many of the stops are without shelter which is not cool on bad weather days. Many more improvements could be made, but budgets are not endless so these will do for now.
