Counting Exercises
While zipping by the stacked cars in traffic on the Express Bus, I’ll do three counting exercises, peering into the windows or at the front of the cars, to help pass the time.
First, I’ll count how many cars’ drivers are wearing their safety belts. Usually it is about 19 out of 20, so most drivers are pretty good about that. The “odd man out” not wearing his seat belt is always male, and usually late teens to early twenties, or much older- 60s or 70s.
Secondly, I’ll count Wisconsin license plates vs. Minnesota plates on I-94….the percentage grows every month, it seems. No wonder back-ups go way past Woodbury these days!
Thirdly, this one is much more distrurbing Green-wise: how many cars are single occupiers, without passengers, as in no-carpooling? NINE OUT OF TEN is my average. Just imagine how much traffic would be eased if one or two more of those ten would carpool, or (gasp) think about taking the bus themselves? I was Green waaaay before Al Gore made it cool again!
Mar 1st, 2007 at 7:17 am
I used to ride the old 51 route out of downtown MInneapolis out to the General Mills area. I saw 19 out of 20 cars with only the driver in it. Things really haven’t changed all that much in 20 years.
Also, the old 51 route is now the 675 Express Route out 394.
Mar 1st, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Mar 19th, 2007 at 7:19 am
I drive by myself to work everyday. And internestingly enough I pass my time when I’m stuck in traffic counting how many crazy people are riding each bus. Believe it or not by my calculations 19 out of 20 bus riders belong in the loony bin.
May 4th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
In June I bought a car to drive to my suburb babysitting job, and still have the car I never wanted to buy (I bussed for 3 years in Mpls/St Paul). I feel horrible about being one more person contributing to traffic and air pollution, so I have resolved to drive just once or twice a week. I really get a lot of flack from co-workers who think it’s insane that I walk to work most days. It’s still nice to have a bus option in bad weather or if my car is being fixed, and it’s upsetting how many drivers I’ve met who are opposed to Light Rail! Public transit is important.