Wednesday, December 13, 2006

My Act of Civil Disobedience

On the days I take public transportation to work, my day starts off with a short walk and then a 6 (long) block bus ride to the BART station. The 14-Mission and 49-VanNess are the two buses that run along this section of Mission Street. Theoretically, these buses should arrive every five minutes or so. However, that is rarely the case and when a bus does arrive, it is packed to the gills. It isn't a pleasant way to start one's day.

However, it is my feeling that SF Muni can run more buses or at least keep the spacing betweeen buses constant. It is not an unusual occruance to for three or four buses to be lined up and driving one right behind the other. On the way home at the end of the day, I often can walk most of the six blocks from the BART station home before I even see either a 14 or 49.

So, as of late, if a bus arrives standing room only, I board the bus from the rear door where exiting passengers are getting out. I refuse to pay $1.50 for a service that I don't deem worthy of my money. Granted, I know that by not paying my fare is increasing the burden of MUNI and asking them to improve service without the benefit of my money, but still it makes me feel better knowing that I'm sticking it to the man, even though ultimately the man is myself.