If you ever walk down a city street in the middle of summer you know that the heat can be intense. I live and work in the middle of a large metropolitan city and so everything I can do to escape the waves of baking air coming from the blacktop I do. There is no need to own a car when you live and work within a mile of just about everything. I do however, use public transportation. There are days when it reaches 90 degrees and even walking two blocks can be exhausting. The buses in the city are clean and are all air conditioned. People from all walks of life use the bus system. It is a great opportunity to get to know those who live around you and I specifically recall one family that lives about three apartment houses down. I remember them because she is a single mom with four kids. From the looks of the group you can tell that life is not always easy for them and she depends on public transportation to take her to work each day. She lets the kids off two stops before her job and they spend the day with relatives. I can’t imagine if she had to walk that far in the heat instead of enjoy the air-conditioned buses. I really enjoy seeing them each day as they get on the bus for kids are so well behaved and they always make sure to thank the driver each day as they exit. Thankfully the city has invested a great deal of money in their transportation system and each bus is equipped with a quality HVAC system that keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I don’t even mind paying taxes some days because I know that we all benefit from money well spent.
