MANSFIELD — This week I set the challenge of riding every advertised bus route in Mansfield, from beginning to end, in one day.
And I succeeded. No, I can’t actually prove it but you should know I only deal in the harsh, unvarnished truth. Had I stumbled, the sad record of my failure would be unflinchingly presented.
First, let me give you some background: I’m a lifelong rider of buses, and proud of it.
For the first 30 years of my life in England I never once owned a car (although I did have a license). It never seemed worth the expense.
I went everywhere on the the bus, usually with my trademark grocery bag stuffed with books and newspapers.
I rode them when you could still go upstairs and smoke. I’ve hopped on and off the open platform of those old London red double deckers into heavy traffic. I’ve fallen asleep on the night bus at midnight then woken up hours later in a state of bafflement, to find I’ve been riding round in circles.
When I moved to Ohio I bought my first car, and I enjoy driving, but I’ve never given up completely on the buses. I consider it a point of pride to figure out the public transit system wherever I go.
Yes, as long you have a car you may never need public transport. But I believe that any man about town worth his salt should know how and where to catch a bus if the need arises. If you don’t know how it works here in Mansfield, you can refer to my Bus Rider’s Guide (see below).
The Richland County Transit system has 14 scheduled routes, and I sat down with pen, pad and the printed schedule to work out how to ride them all in a single day. Like a heartbeat, all rides pulse out and back from the Transit Center, leaving either on the hour or the half hour, so this made my task easier.
I had one rule: although drivers are in constant radio communication with the control center, and will hold buses so riders can make connections, I would not take advantage of this. I would let the chips fall where they may and deal with the consequences.
The next day, I boarded my first bus at 6:30 a.m. I was off and running.
The first riders of the day were quiet, but within an hour or so cheerful chatter started up among the regulars, usually including the driver. Frequent accommodation is made for wheelchair users with the driver on hand to help, always friendly and with the minimum of fuss.
By 9 a.m. I was right on schedule and riding my fifth bus: Route 6, the Bowman Street run. This took us past the Jones Potato Chip factory, the Westbrook Country Club golf course and a house on Hanna Road with a huge Foghorn Leghorn figure on the fence.
It was here that I started to realize how thoroughly I was enjoying myself, to the point where, to be honest, I did begin to question my sanity.
But the truth is I would far rather ride a real bus route with real passengers around an actual neighborhood than a tedious tourist bus, whatever the location. Not that a tour guide’s commentary would be completely out of place: “To your right, ladies and gentlemen, you will observe the legendary Wiener King …”
Drama found us on Route 3. Just minutes out of the Transit Center we got stuck at the intersection of 1st and Main when the bus refused to move forward.
Our driver (Sonia) kept her cool and figured out the wheelchair ramp needed stomping on. The pattern kept repeating itself along the way so the riders took it in turn to do the necessary stomp.
Never let it be said that I hide behind my pad scribbling notes when there’s work to be done: I was up and stomping with the rest. In fact, on the way back from Walmart this was my responsibility alone.
I think I did a pretty good job, although once I accidentally gave a sort of effete ‘one-two’ stomp with both heels, unfortunately reminiscent of a Spanish toreador.
Further drama unfolded on Route 5, when our way was blocked by police activity at the corner of Allison and Burns. Again the situation was handled very calmly by our driver, who made an impromptu reversal in a church parking lot to get us on our way.
On the 4th Street run I saw Aaron, a guy I know from the library and a regular on this route. He was amazed to see me: “I didn’t know you rode the bus!”
“Now and again,” I chuckled, neglecting to mention that I had in fact spent the past nine hours doing nothing else.
The easy rhythm of the day took on an air of tension as I neared the end, and feared I would fall at the last hurdle. But with a couple of emergency switches to my plan, I made it. All 14 routes in 11.5 hours.
And what, in the end, did I achieve? Absolutely bugger all.
But leaving my foolish stunt aside, the bus system is an absolute lifeline for those without a car who need to ride to work; for students, for the disabled; for young mothers with children lacking transport; and for those who for whatever reason cannot drive themselves.
The drivers here on these small local routes do so much more than drive the bus. They are friends and helpers to those in the community who need it, and they do it all with chatty good humor and no-nonsense efficiency, day in and day out.
One last thing: there is no Route 14. The schedule goes from 13 to 15. I have no explanation for this. Some things just have to remain a mystery.
Bus Rider’s Guide
All routes start and end at the Stanton Transit Center, located just one block south of the Square at 74 S. Diamond St., opposite Wappner Funeral Directors.
Buses can be boarded here or at any stop along the route. The standard adult fare is $2 regardless of distance traveled and riders must have the exact money. Place your money in the farebox as you board.
To request a stop, press the yellow strip or pull the yellow cord and the bus will let you off at the next stop; or, simply tell the driver where you need to get to and they will help you.
A free transfer can be made at the Transit Center from one route to another. If this is required, ask the driver for a transfer when you board your first bus and you’ll get a transfer slip to hand over to the next driver.
For schedules, routes, discount fares and other information visit http://www.rctbuses.com/
Every Route in Town in One Day – How I Did It
6:30 a.m. Route 15 (Lahm Regional Airport Park)
7:00 a.m. Route 2 (Lexington Ave)
7:30 a.m. Route 1 (Park Ave West)
8:30 a.m. Route 11 (Marion Ave
9:00 a.m. Route 6 (Bowman St)
9:30 a.m. Route 3 (South Main)
10:30 a.m. Route 5 (Springmill St)
11:30 a.m. Route 13 (Shelby)
Lunch (Coney Island Diner)
1:30 p.m. Route 12 (West Cook Rd)
3:00 p.m. Route 9 (West 4th St)
4:00 p.m. Route 4 (South Side)
4:30 p.m. Route 10 (East Mansfield)
5:05 p.m. Route 8 (Glessner Ave)
5:30 p.m. Route 7 (Wayne St)
