We hear and learn from real customers as they answer our "10 Questions with Metro Transit!" Today we meet Reese, a student at the University of MN and the recent winner of a UMN contest for riding Metro Transit and tapping his Universal Transit Pass with each ride!
Want to share your answers to the “10 Questions” with us? We are making this a recurring feature in the Connect email newsletter and Rider’s Almanac blog as a fun way to feature and learn from our customers. Send an email with “10 Questions” in the subject line to [email protected]. Submission does not guarantee publication. We’ll be in touch!
How long have you been riding the bus or train?
I’ve been riding the bus and train pretty much since I got to campus as a freshman. I lived in Sanford my freshman year, so I learned the bus routes early on to cut down on walking, especially during the winter.
How often do you ride?
I ride probably four or five times a week. I usually take the bus four times a week to class, and sometimes back as well, and then occasionally I’ll need to take the bus or train for something on the weekend too.
Favorite route(s)?
My favorite routes are probably the 3, which I take to and from class all the time, and the E Line, which I take with my friends a lot whenever we’re going downtown.
Why do you ride transit?
I mainly ride transit to cut down on walking, but I also take it in the winter when it gets really cold outside, and riding the bus is much nicer. I also don’t have a car on campus, so riding transit is my most reliable way to get around the city, besides walking.
What you wish “first-timers” knew? (pro tips)
That it’s definitely worth it to learn the routes and where they go. I was a little intimidated at first because there’s so many different routes and ways to travel, but as I’ve gotten familiar with everything throughout college, it has made my life so much easier. Whether I’m running late and need to catch a bus to make it on time, or knowing the best way to navigate around the city, especially with big events going on.
Favorite destination?
I would say my favorite destination is the Twins stadium (Target Field). I’m a huge baseball fan, and I think it’s super cool that there’s a train station right outside the stadium for arriving and leaving. It’s always a super fun time to take the train with my friends to go see a game.
What do we (Metro Transit) get right?
I think that Metro Transit does a pretty good job of training everyone that works for them to keep things running as smoothly as possible. The bus drivers always seem to know what they’re doing, and the employees on the train make sure that everyone stays safe and do their best to keep it a positive experience for everyone.
What can we improve?
One area of improvement could be running more transit at night. Obviously it makes sense that less people will be taking it late at night, but sometimes I’ve found myself wanting to take a bus and I see that there isn’t another one for at least 30 minutes. Also, improving security later at night on the light rail. That’s the one complaint I probably hear the most from my friends, is that it just doesn’t feel too safe late at night.
Favorite onboard memory?
I would say my favorite onboard memory is going places with my friends. Just the other week we all went downtown together, and it was a lot of fun all hanging out in the back of the bus, knowing that we had a fun night ahead of us.
Favorite movie about (or featuring) transit?
Planes, Trains & Automobiles is my favorite movie about transit. I have good memories watching it with family over Thanksgiving break. But Bullet Train is one that is definitely on my watch list.