that... was... AWESOME!!!

[mellowtigger]

I used the bus micro-route app this morning for the first time. I last checked their service map when my car died on January 26th. At the time, the service map was still in its original first test region which is officially "north Minneapolis", but it remained south of me. When I checked again yesterday, the map extended northward and now included my house! I asked the driver after I paid for my fare today, and he said my area was included about 2 months ago, so that timeline matches my experience.

I used the shuttle today for door-to-door transportation from my house to Cub Foods grocery. I brought my 2 reusable bags and packed them to overflowing with all of the wonderful foods that I haven't been able to get from the local asian grocery or Target's shipping service (not the same as more expensive local delivery service). I stocked up on bulk spices, frozen vegetables, sauerkraut in a jar, and I even got 2 super-cheap frozen pizzas that will fit in my small toaster oven. I don't even care about the consequences of this gluten-filled buying spree. After I finish this post, I'll eat some pepperoni pizza, and tomorrow I'm going to eat my delicious breakfast sandwich. This menu is gloriously decadent compared to my recent super-healthy eating. And the round trip cost me a total of US$2. Yeah, that's not a typo.

This micro-route map from Minneapolis bus transit currently includes my large grocery store, my pharmacy, my dentist office, two (maybe three?) medical clinics, my local hospital, and my local library (and voting center). Technically, it also includes my veterinarian, but I doubt the bus service allows a loud cat in a carry-on cage. I'll check later, but I expect I still need to find a non-car solution to getting my cat to see her doctor for medical care.

This is exactly the cheap and convenient metropolitan experience that I've imagined possible all of my life, and I'm finally living it now in Minneapolis at age 55! I want SO VERY MUCH to find a job that lets me stay in my house without a car.

Comments

[darkoshi]

That sounds great! I hope they decide to make it a permanent program after the test period ends.