Detroit Auto Critic Reviews New Ride -- the Bus

"I experimented with commuting by bus last Friday, and I had the kind of mixed experience that explains why ridership on many public systems is only up by single-digit percentages despite all the gasoline angst. Overall, I had a pleasant, on-time ride and probably did better than break even on fares vs. fuel costs. On the down side, I missed being on my own schedule -- and I didn't really know how to work the system.

First, I had to drive to the park-and-ride stop and wait for the bus. The weather was gorgeous, but this wait would have been less fun in the wet or cold. A bus arrived on time and I hopped on, after fumbling to feed two dollar bills into the fare box. "It only takes exact change," a veteran rider advised.

Next stop: Northland Mall. Problem. The stop should have been on a street near my office. I realized, I had hopped on the wrong bus. I jumped off. I waited about 15 minutes to get a second bus to take me back to where I wanted to go, a block from my building. Once again I was grateful for a cool summer morning, as I bushwhacked from the stop to the back side of my office tower."