On Wednesday I took the bus to work. It's the first time I've ever commuted on a bus. Ever. I normally drive my comfortable single occupancy vehicle every day, but it was Commuter Challenge day. A few weeks ago an email was sent to the staff mailing list that said:

"This year, the Lower Mainland Commuter Challenge is a 1 day event on Wednesday June 8th, 2005. It would be great if we could manage 100% participation this year."

That last line was a direct shot at me, because for last year's Commuter Challenge I said "nah" and drove anyway. Therefore there was one main reason for taking the bus this year: spite.

My first problem was figuring out how this whole bus thing works. How would I know? What bus do I take? Do I have to transfer? What if I end up in Crackton?! Or cold and alone at the Nexus of the Universe (corner of First and First)?!

I did my homework and figured out on the Translink site that I can take the 354 directly to downtown. So I left my car at the Park and Ride, paid my $4.50 (!) and got my seat. First lesson, buses, like airplanes, aren't made for 6'3" people. My left knee was lodged in the seat in front and other was uncomfortably in the aisle. I should have turned around and sat at the front section where the seats face each other, but i had already sat down and didn't want to get up while the bus was moving. I immediately missed the heated seats in my car.

I didn't really bring anything to read. I just wanted to listen to my ipod and stare out the windows, but it was rainy and the windows were all fogged up on the sides, so i gazed out the front window. Which is funny since that's what I do in my car, listen to music and stare out the front.

Overall, it was quite expensive ($9 a day! + emotional costs!), the seats were uncomfortable, took me way longer to get to work, and just not worth it for me. As I was leaving at the end of the day, I caught myself saying "I gotta go catch my bus". I think a little piece of my soul died when I said that.