On Hold

Taking the 7 is currently on hold due to a full schedule that requires me to drive to cut down on commute time.

Please see my new blog, YearofHope.blogspot.com - a daily photoblog.

Next Stop: Work

Name: Gary
Bus: #81
Date/Time: 12:15 p.m. - Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Commute: 1 bus, 15 minutes

Gary uses the bus to travel to and from work and has been using the bus all of his life. Although he can use his car, he chooses to take the bus because "it's cheaper, closer, and easier." He said he sees "a lot of drunk folks" and a lot of kids and other interesting people.

Did you know?

Most bars close in Columbus, Ohio around 2 a.m., but COTA stops busses at midnight. Columbus is the nation's 3rd drunkest city based on DUI and drunken driving accident statistics.

Source: http://www.43places.com/locals/view/106701

Next Stop: Everywhere

Name: Cierra
Bus: #18
Date/Time: 6:23 p.m. - Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Commute: 2 busses, 40 minutes

For Cierra, the bus is her only means of transportation because she has no car. She has been riding the bus since she was a teenager and if the bus was unavailable, she would need to depend on friends and family for rides, but she does not want to do so. As for interesting stories, on the bus system in Cleveland she saw a woman get on the bus and go into a siezure. The bus driver called 911. When the cops came, the woman got up and just left.

Did you know?

Riding the bus costs more than 5780 LESS per year than driving a small Sedan, according to AAA. Maybe having no car is a good thing. See how much a car costs in 2007: AAA Your Driving Costs brochure

Next Stop: Work

Name: Roger
Bus: #7
Date/Time: 12:32 p.m. - Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Commute: 2 busses, 1 hour

Roger uses the bus to travel to and from work because he lost his license. Although his boss could pick him up, he enjoys taking the bus because "it's relaxing and saves on gas and pollution."

Did you know?

After an initial test in January 2006, all COTA busses began using biodiesel blends in April of that year, resulting in a predicted decrease of one million gallons in regular diesel fuel consumption per year.

Source: Wikipedia & Clean Fuel Update

About Taking the 7

This is a blog for class.

As usual, I use class as an excuse to do projects I've had in mind for a while. This will be a photoblog featuring strangers on the bus and their story of why they are taking the bus versus other forms of transportation.

Once a week, I hope to feature a bus driver as well and about what lead to them being a bus driver and their experiences. I hope it shows that the belief that only poor people ride the bus is incorrect and that everyday people from all walks of life need and use the bus daily.

Eventually, I would like to see additional bus routes, busses running after midnight, and better propaganda telling people that riding the bus is not only better for the environment, but also for their bank accounts and general health and wellness.

Thoughts

Here are some things I found on the Internet that relates to the current COTA bus system:

COTA Eliminating Advertising

http://www.columbusing.com/?p=450

Contact Info

To be filled in later...

Resources

These links will be added to over time.

Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) links:

COTA's main Web site
COTA Bus Schedules

Campus Area Bus System (CABS) links:

CABS general information
CABS maps

Drunken driving awareness and services:

Safe at Home - Designated driver service
List of taxicab services in or around Columbus
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)