SC: Transit Roulette part 1

[elSicomoro]

The Sycamore is fortunate to have a couple of transit options in commuting to and from work.

There are 3 SEPTA bus routes that pass right along my apartment complex, all going to Frankford Terminal (for connecting to the El): The 20, 67, and 84. (Unlike some cities, our bus routes don't really have names per se...you generally just go by the number.) During rush hour, the 20 and 84 run "express" routes to the terminal, which shave off 15 minutes or so in getting to the terminal.

I generally take a 20 express to the terminal in the morning. Some days though, I am lazy and don't stumble out of the house until 20 after 7. In that case, there is an 84 express that'll get me to the terminal before 8am, leaving me plenty of time to get to work by 8:30.

Last Monday, I was running late, so I was going to take the 84 express. I'm standing at the corner of Red Lion and East Keswick Rds., and here comes the bus. I get on, swipe my transpass, and go to sit down.

Then, I notice that the bus continues straight on Red Lion Road. Normally, after picking people up at the corner, the 84 makes a left turn onto East Keswick Road, then heads towards Torresdale Rail Station. I then realize...shit! I'm on the 67!!! The 67 generally runs between Frankford Terminal and the headquarters of Comcast Cable in the Somerton section of NE Philly. Once an hour from 7am to 7pm, it extends its route and swings by my complex en route to Franklin Mills Mall. To travel on the 67 from my place to Frankford Terminal takes almost an hour, due to the 67's winding path through neighborhoods west of Roosevelt Blvd.

Okay, so I gotta think quick. If I stay on the 67, I'll be late to work for sure, since it's already 25 after 7. So, I get off at Academy Road, 4 blocks west of my place. I am a fast walker, so I'm thinking I can haul ass 3 blocks south to Morrell Avenue, where the 20 makes a turn onto Academy in heading to the terminal. As I'm hustling down Academy Road, it is already hot as hell out...about 80 degrees and the humidity is a bitch. As I approach Morrell Avenue, the 20 turns onto Academy and drives away. Shit!!!

Okay, it's cool. I'll probably be 10 minutes late to work this morning. My boss won't get pissed. After standing at the bus stop for less than 5 minutes, like manna from the sky, a 20 express bus appears. Hmmm...I might actually make it to work on time.

I get to the terminal a few minutes before 8am, so I bound down Frankford Ave. and up the steps to the El platform. I slide into the El car just as the doors are about to close. Normally, I like to get off at 2nd Street and walk up to my office at 4th and Market. But since I'm running late, it's best for me to take the El to 5th Street and walk across the street to my office. I hop off the El at 5th, cross Market and head upstairs to my office. As I stroll over to my cubicle, I look at the clock on the wall--8:26 am. Whoohoo!

Morals of today's story: Try not to be late and make sure you look at the bus number before you get on it.