5 random bus stops, and some extra stories too
Posted by: Portland Place Reviews | From: March 15, 2007
Bus Stop: NE 22nd and NE Multnomah St.
Bus #: 10
Pro: Quiet and Peaceful Stop.
Con: Not the most accessible location.
This is a nice, quiet little bus stop. I never see anyone here. At first, I was actually thinking to myself, "They should shut this route down, and save Trimet the cost of running an empty bus." However, after several trips by this spot, I finally saw a lone rider waiting. When I approached her, she was eager to tell me how much she loved this particular stop.
(Rider name withheld for privacy purposes) "This bus saved my life!" She said, "I have to go downtown to work every morning, and I was getting sick of riding the MAX." She told me that people on the MAX are "nasty," and that the people riding early (5 a.m.) in the morning are "up to no good." She said that the MAX was making her miserable, and then she discovered this bus stop right around the corner from her apartment. "The #10 is amazing. There is never anyone on it. I always get a seat, and the bus doesn't stink."
She went on to tell me that every morning there is just one other passenger waiting at this stop with her. It is a "little old lady" who carries an umbrella. The 2 never speak to each other; they just get on the bus and ride in peace.
So, after this conversation, I decided that this is a good bus stop, and it should not be taken down. Although there are not many people who use it, it is a great experience for the few who do. Besides, how many other bus stops have actually "saved a life?"
Bus Stop: SW Broadway and SW Market
Bus #'s: 1, 9, 12, 19, 44, 94X, 8, 68
Pro: Many busses available at one location, located on PSU campus, near a 7/11
Con: No overhead cover, busy stops make crowded busses
This is a busy stop with multiple bus service. When I first saw the stop, I wondered how efficiently it would run with so many busses stopping on the same corner. As I watched the different busses come and go, everything seemed to run smoothly.
I asked a young man, as he waited for his bus, if this stop ever gets confusing, or if he has ever gotten on board the wrong bus by accident.
"No," he said, and he gave me a look as if I was out of my mind. I decided that this awkward exchange was all that I needed in terms of my research.
After my experience, I decided that this is a great stop. You can conveniently catch several busses from one location, with minimal-to-no confusion, and there is a 7-11 across the street!
The only down side is; with such a popular stop, you may find yourself crammed and standing with a full load of fellow passengers.
Bus Stop: SW 3rd and SW Taylor
Bus #'s: 10, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 99
Pro: Great, downtown location, overhead cover
Con: Competition for bus seating can be competitive
This bus stop is conveniently located in beautiful downtown Portland. Just 1 block north of the county jail, and only 1.5 blocks northeast of the Multnomah county courthouse. If timed just right, Trimet passengers waiting at this stop could take a quick walk over to view a real prisoner transfer, or work release!
The bus stop also sits nicely on the same block as several eating establishments with a variety of food styles to choose from. If you find yourself waiting for a late or missed bus, you can walk just a stones throw away in any direction, and enjoy your choice of pasta, sub-sandwiches, or Thai cuisine. If eating is not your thing, and you are feeling the hankering for a cold brew or fine wine, this bus stop also occupies the same block as a wonderful bar (21+ please).
This bus stop is great year-round. During rainy Northwest winters, the bus stop's beautiful, transparent overhead cover will keep you dry, and in the summer, I have witnessed local Farmer's Markets in the exact lot that the stop is on! So if it's the season, kick back, get some local produce, and ride the public transportation.
Bus Stop: SE McLaughlin Blvd and SE 26th
Bus #: 33
Pro: Walking distance from the Willamette River and Elk Rock Island Park.
Con: You could be killed by passing traffic when waiting near the side of the road
I personally enjoyed this stop when I had to use it, because a fellow bus passenger was so polite to me when I was there. Now this may not have to directly do with the stop itself, but my experience was so nice, that it leads me to believe that the stop is in a very friendly area.
To look at the stop is not impressive: It is a blue pole with the "Trimet 33" sign on it. If you hang out by the stop too long, you run the real risk of being crushed by quick moving traffic. But, to get off in this area and feel so welcome, is a great experience indeed.
When I got off on 26th and McLaughlin, I was lost, trying to find my way to "Elk Rock Island" and its 40 thousand year-old land bridge. I had no clue which way to go, until a local resident who had exited the bus at the same stop offered me some assistance.
He volunteered the directions to the park, and sent me off on the right path. A short walk later, I was crossing the ancient land bridge to enjoy some R&R on the island.
This is actually a picture of the intersection of SE 26th and SE Sparrow. This intersection is right near the bus stop; both me and the helpful passenger decided it was far more safe to have a conversation here than by the stop itself, where we could possibly be destroyed by oncoming traffic. The helpful passenger can be seen, walking away in the picture.
Bus Stop: NE Multnomah St. and NE 10th
Bus #'s: 8, 10
Pro: Last fareless stop on the east side of the river. Stops right at Lloyd Center mall where you can do some shopping or go to a movie or something. Large overhead covering, and also parking garage covering to keep you dry if you are waiting in the rain.
Con: Violence has gone down at this particular stop.
At nearly any time of day, you will find passengers waiting at this stop. Because of the fact that this stop is located on the property of a mall, you will find all types of people here. While observing the stop for a while, I noticed that the passengers really ran the gambit.
I saw little kids with their parents, adolescents with newly purchased merchandise slung from their appendages, people going to and from work, old folks; you get the idea.
One thing I did notice that is somewhat unique to this stop, was the young people who hang out in the general area of the stop for long periods of time, without any real purpose. These guys and girls just hang out; they are not catching any bus that goes by, and they are not making any progress toward leaving the bus stop either.
During the time I observed this location, I saw this group of kids grow and shrink in number, yell and catcall down the block, and pretend to punch each other. This went on for at least 30 minutes or so.
I have a friend who was nearly attacked at this stop, so I asked him what his opinion about it is. (For this report, I will call him Leo). One day, Leo was waiting for the bus. Out of nowhere, a gnarly youth came stalking across the street in a big furry coat. He pushed Leo in the chest, got face to face with him, and said, "What, what,...?!" Then he just walked away. Leo just kind of scurried around the bus shelter and avoided the guy.
Leo says that he doesn't mind the bus stop after all. He just thinks that the guy who pushed him was weird.
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More bus stop "stories":
"At a bus stop on NE 92nd and Division, I saw a lady with hot pink stretch-pants puke up a hotdog and a slurpee." -anonymous
"At Milwaukee transit center, my friend got attacked because he is a homosexual." -Naomi
"One time, I was waiting for the #20 at the bus stop at the foot of the west end of the Burnside Bridge. I saw a guy who looked like Jesus, wearing nothing but some cut-off denim shorts, and a headless Barbie doll tied around his neck. He had silver paint around his mouth and hands, and he appeared to go into some sort of trance, got really tense, and positioned himself like he was being crucified." -Morgan
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Really nice photos, portraits of the stops.
Posted by: sandy at March 22, 2007 12:30 AM