MetroRiderLA

Image courtesy of donielle.

After living in Compton for over a month now and seeing those white buses come and go and not being able to figure out where they went or the fare nor schedule, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I had previously tried to contact the city of Compton for such information and I was told to call 1.800.COMMUTE. When I told them that I was more interested in something in a written format, if perhaps they could mail me something like MTA and most other agencies do, I was told they did not do that. I was told the best I could do was to ask a bus driver for a schedule. How was I suppose to do that when I had no idea of the schedule or route.

Now I know they have a new shopping center that has a Target, Best Buy, Home Depot among other retailers, I decided to check out the MTA Trip Planner to find out if it was possible to get there taking the elusive white bus. It told me to get the route 2 bus on the NE corner of Alondra and Wilmington which could take me to the MLK Transit Center across the street from the Compton Blue Line Station. Upon arrival there, I was to get the route 4 which would drop me off in the corner of Santa Fe and Greenleaf, one block from the Shopping Center.

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‘Twas the night before Metro

Orange Line began

and all trough my body

I had goosebumps and chills

in anticipation of my very first ride.

I had been thinking

about that very moment

for the last couple of years

ever since I heard

the busway was coming my way.

I can still remember

when I would ride my bike

even drive a car

parallel to the busway

the old right of way.

Just dreaming and waiting

for the day to arrive.

And when they started testing

with no passengers yet

I would stand in awe near the stations

just watching the artics go by.

But alas! The day had arrived

five in the morning

I was ready to board

from Winnetka Station

to NOHO and back.

This feeling of anticipation

I cannot describe

unless you’re a MetroRider

you can’t comprehend.

I’m just waiting

and anticipating

the Gold Line extension

out to East L. A.

Come late 2009

God willing

I’ll sure to be there!!!

© Rogelio Gómez

“Gold Line, Pasadena” Image Courtesy of Nevin.

I leave the house five minutes just before

the scheduled time the bus is set to arrive.

I got my pass, schedules and the map

within my pocket just waiting to board and go.

It’s one more minute

I see it down the street.

It’s right on schedule, not often

but this time has managed to arrive within the slotted time.

I board and grab a book

I’ll read along until I get

to the transfer point so I can get

the Blue Line and then the Red.

I love the Metro if you can’t tell

and try to speak about it to other people

you could say it, I guess

I try my best for them to use it and convert.

© Rogelio Gomez