The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND

Jennifer Knecht and Anna Mueller

11 February 2013

Qualitative Methods Dr. Lee Vigilant

Introduction Knecht and Mueller 2

The Metro Area Transit Bus System (MATBUS) provides bus service along twenty-one routes serving Fargo and West Fargo, North Dakota, as well as Moorhead and Dilworth,

Minnesota. MATBUS is run jointly by the cities of Fargo and Moorhead. Senior citizens, K-12 students, and people with disabilities ride for half-price, while free rides are provided to disabled veterans with identification and children under age 5. Students from Concordia, Minnesota State-

Moorhead, M-State, and North Dakota State University also ride free with college identification.

Interest

Nearly everyone is familiar with the buses traveling through Fargo-Moorhead and often assumptions, usually negative, are made about the type of person who utilizes the system.

Automobiles are a defining aspect of American culture and those who rely on public transportation are often stigmatized for their “inability” to take part in what many consider a vital component of middle-class life. Many people think the bus is only used by those who have no choice, who are too poor or too “lazy” to afford their own vehicles. Bus passengers are sometimes referred to as “senile old people,” “welfare bums,” “dirty,” “lazy,” and “moochers.”

Slightly less negative comments like “poor people” or “the disadvantaged” are sometimes used.

Few people expect anyone other than the most poor to use public transportation and none expect a professional or business person to use it.

Student use of the bus is considered more acceptable, especially so in the case of international students, because a lack of private vehicle is often considered a part of being young and/or foreign, but it is also expected to be a temporary situation.

Methodology Knecht and Mueller 3

Our research was conducted on February 5th, 2013. Observations were conducted separately, with Jennifer riding on portions of Routes 1, 2, and 4 during the afternoon and evening. Anna rode Routes 2, 8, and 11 during late afternoon and early evening. While we did not interact with passengers, we did assume the role of a bus passenger and acted as participant- observers.

General observations

The makeup of MATBUS riders varies depending on the day of the week and time of day. College students, particularly international students, are more frequent on evenings and weekends, while women over 30 and elderly riders are more common during the day.

Based on their clothing and outerwear, most passengers appeared to be low-income and were traveling with a specific errand or appointment in mind. One very clear exception to this was the clothing of the college students, particularly the women, who were wearing newer and more stylish clothes and outerwear. While the lower-income passengers were dressed in jeans, snow boots, and heavy jackets, reflecting the extremely cold temperatures and the likelihood of spending some time outdoors, either waiting for the bus or walking to their destination, the students were dressed in lighter clothing, with ballet flats, dressy boots, or canvas sneakers on their feet and only a sweatshirt (or two) or a light coat.

During all the rides, the lack of interaction was noticeable by the lengths people went to in order to avoid interacting with their fellow passengers. Two of the “unwritten rules” of bus riding that we observed were: “no talking except under certain circumstances” and “do not sit too closely.”

There was no talking except among people travelling together, and passengers kept their gazes confined to either handheld devices (usually a phone or iPod) or the windows. While Knecht and Mueller 4 passengers sometimes made small talk while waiting for the buses, once they boarded, there was no further conversation. The only times passengers spoke were to the drivers, to request transfer tickets, ask if the bus was making a particular stop, or, when leaving the bus, to say “thank you” or “have a nice day”; these interactions were also few and far between, and were very rarely initiated by the passenger.

On all the rides we observed, passengers were careful to sit only in empty rows, and only sat with strangers when there was no other option. Based on the brief observations we made, there also appears to be a bit of calculation made by the passenger as to which other passenger appears “safest” to join. As noted later in this paper, a younger woman on Bus 2 looked around a bit before choosing the oldest woman on the bus who was not sitting in the elderly/handicapped seating. As seen in this case, when interaction between passengers did occur, the entire exchange was often done without speaking.

Route 2, from MSUM to GTC

Passengers line up to the right of the door and wait for deboarding passengers to exit.

Once signaled to board, they quickly swipe their cards, request transfer tickets, or enter cash.

Passengers sit by themselves in empty rows unless travelling with someone. When there are no more empty rows, a younger woman sits with an older one.

At the very back on the bench, are four white students in their late teens or early 20’s.

One is male, while three are female. All three women are wearing leggings, knee-high boots, and

“pea coat” style jackets. The man is wearing skinny jeans, DC-brand sneakers, and a sweatshirt instead of a coat. They are talking about a television show (the name of which I did not catch) that they watched the previous evening, which they thought was “stupid.” One kept repeating, “I can’t believe they did that.” Knecht and Mueller 5

Sitting in front of them, on the left side-facing bench, is a white woman about 25 or 30 years of age, sitting with a young girl about 5 years old. They are sitting with several shopping bags from Walmart near their feet. On the opposite bench is a white couple in their late 20’s, with no bags except for the woman’s purse. In front of them are two men in shabby, unkempt clothing and very worn sneakers. One is white, the other black, but both appear to be in their late

40’s or early 50s. Both have very full tote bags on their laps. Across from them is a white college-age woman, wearing a quilted, knee-length coat and knee boots, with a messenger bag on her lap.

In the front of the bus, a white man around 60 years old sits in a mobility chair on the right-side area reserved for elderly and disabled riders, while an elderly woman with a cane is seated on the bench in the left-side reserved space. An older woman, about 50, sits behind the man in the mobility chair, with two reusable tote bags of groceries at her feet. When there were no more empty rows available, the younger woman motioned with one hand to the empty seat.

After the older woman nodded and shifted the bag at her feet closer to the outer wall, the younger woman then sat only partially in the seat, carefully avoiding any kind of physical contact. She even angled her body toward the aisle and pressed her bag tightly to her lap. For the rest of the ride, both women made no eye contact.

Other than the students, most passengers appear to be lower-income. Most of the clothing and outerwear is older, less fashionable, and the type worn more for comfort than style. Other than those travelling together -- the group of students, the couple, and the mother and child -- passengers do not speak and avoid eye contact. All but the homeless-looking men keep their gazes on their handheld devices, either phones or iPods.

Most of the passengers are wearing winter jackets with scarves. Two men are wearing Knecht and Mueller 6 baseball caps while one is wearing a knit hat and another has his sweatshirt hood pulled up. Most of the women are bare-headed, with the exception of one older woman and the woman with the child.

The driver announces each stop just prior to arriving, but does not stop unless someone is waiting or a passenger has requested a stop. The woman and child leave the bus at the apartments just east of Hornbacher’s, while the couple departed at Hornbacher’s. Everyone else remains on the bus until it reaches the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) in downtown Fargo.

At the GTC, all the passengers leave the bus. The passenger in the mobility chair waits for the driver’s assistance in removing the restraining straps holding the chair. As the passengers leave, the men often stop to allow women to exit in front of them, and the elderly woman at the front is allowed to exit first. As they leave, each of the passengers says “Have a nice day” or

“thanks” to the driver. The bus arrived late, so the passengers hurry to make their transfers.

Route 4, from GTC to Dilworth Walmart

Because Route 2 was running late, most passengers have already boarded and Route 4 is ready to leave. One woman asks if this bus goes to Cashwise. At his affirmative, she swipes a card and moves to the back of the bus and sits on the left side in the last row, before the rear benches. She is wearing a “business-casual” outfit with 2” heels. Seated across from her is a second woman, white, about 50 years old, is wearing scrub pants, nursing shoes, and a pink

North Face jacket. She is reading a romance novel (Julia Quinn).

At the front of the bus are three men, all wearing jeans, Carhartt jackets, and scuffed work boots. Two are sitting across from each other in the reserved seating area, while the third is behind them in the seating row on the left. The third man is wearing a bright red knit cap and Knecht and Mueller 7 reading the Fargo Forum. Across from Man #3 is a black man in his late 20’s, wearing baggy jeans and a hoodie.

As with Route 2, passengers avoid sitting together, avoid eye contact and mostly keep their attention on their handheld devices. The only speaking is done by the driver, who announces the stops.

At U.S. Bank another man boards. Approximately 60 years old, he is wearing sweat pants and sneakers with a hoodie and carrying a canvas backpack. At Clay County Family Services, the second woman leaves, while two more women board. Both are white, in their early 20s, and are heavily made-up. Both also have strikingly dyed hair, one a bright purple and the other an orangey-red. They take seats in separate rows, one in front of the other, and talk to each other in low, angry voices. Man #4 and Man #5 leave at Churches United. Man #1 and Man #2 leave at

Target, while Man #3 disembarks at Walmart. Again, as on Route 2, each passenger thanks the driver as they leave.

Route 4, from Dilworth Walmart to GTC

Passengers made small talk as they waited for the bus to arrive. Most of their conversation was about the weather or the frequent lateness of the bus. Waiting for the bus was a white man between 50 and 60 years of age, wearing jeans, a flannel work shirt, work boots, and a Carhartt jacket with a hood. He is carrying a backpack with a tear on the left side and two

Walmart shopping bags. A second man, also white and about ten years younger, wears shabby, frayed knit hat and a stained and ripped jacket and is carrying several Walmart bags. A third younger man, black and in his late 20’s or early 30’s, is wearing two pairs of jeans, both hanging below his butt, one pair of which is cinched with a bright pink belt fastened over his right butt Knecht and Mueller 8 cheek. He is also (thankfully) wearing plaid boxers, along with a pair of newer-looking work boots and a sweatshirt instead of a jacket.

The only woman is between 40 and 50 years old, with a short spiky hair style, dyed hot pink with a scarf tied like a headband. She is wearing red leggings and flats, as well as a hip- length wool jacket with a belt-cinch.

When the bus arrives, the passengers stopped talking and boarded quickly, with the three men allowing the woman to step on first. As previously observed, passengers sit in the available empty rows and avoid eye contact. Man #2 plays with a handheld device while everyone else looks out the windows.

Man #4 boards at Cashwise. He is in his 20’s, wearing baggy jeans, sneakers, and a zippered sweatshirt, with a bright green cast on his left arm. He is listening to Metallica through his earbuds, and one assumes hearing damage was being done as this observer could hear well enough to identify both the band and the song. He is on the bus for less than five minutes, leaving at the apartments near the Dilworth American Legion.

The female passenger disembarks at Moorhead Manor. Man #1 leaves at the courthouse.

A woman boards at the same time. She is carrying a messenger bag and wearing professional clothing, a pair of dressy pants and heels with a knee-length wool jacket, but her hair and makeup are noticeably less stylish and don’t match the clothing. She has the appearance of someone who has just started a new job that requires more stylish clothing than she normally would wear. She leaves the bus at Park View Terrace.

At the GTC

Once again, as previously observed, passengers speak only to the driver and, most often, only when leaving the bus, to wish him a good evening or say thank you. There is a 15-minute Knecht and Mueller 9 wait for other routes to arrive, so passengers enter the GTC and take seats in the area near the doors, which are marked as “Gate 2” and “Gate 3.” There are approximately 5 rows of ten seats, and passengers are careful to separate themselves from others, usually putting at least one or, preferably, two seats between them. Man #2 sits in the back row and peruses a copy of the

Forum left in the seat next to him.

Route 1, from GTC to 8th St South & 4th Ave

There is only one other passenger on the bus. A woman in her 30’s wearing jeans, scuffed hiking-type boots with wool socks, and a knit hat takes a seat in the first row. Her coat is a parka- style one with a hood trimmed in faux fur and is stained and worn-looking. She has two reusable bags filled with groceries next to her on the outside seat and a purse she holds in her lap. She spends the ride looking out the window, and leaves shortly afterward at the Moorhead Library.

Route 11, from 25th Ave & Broadway to GTC

As the time for the bus approached, several people showed up. There was a middle age woman and a young man; neither looked overly wealthy, but they were both well groomed. Time waiting for the bus was spent on cell phones; the younger on a newer phone and the older woman on a phone that was a few years old. The young man stayed several yards away from the bus shelter, checking his phone several times. The older woman stood to the side of the bus shelter, only checking on her phone only when a ringtone went off.

Once on the bus, there were several more travelers on the bus; there were several men in their 20s-30s, an elderly woman, and several young women. Each sat secluded from one another.

Everyone found their seat, and with that there was at least one seat between each of them. The next person to under the bus was a teenage boy at North High School, who kissed his girlfriend goodbye before entering the bus. He proceeded to listen to music while sitting away from other Knecht and Mueller 10 patrons on the bus. Several blocks later two men in their late 20’s/early 30’s entered the bus. The were both very well groomed, and looked to be off to a service job. As the bus stopped at

Sanford Medical Center, several people entered the bus. A family, with a grandmother, mother and two children got on the bus. The children ran all the way to the back, before being called back to the front by their mother. A young woman, travelling alone, also entered the bus.

For the remainder of the trip, everyone kept to themselves, only talking to people if they were travelling with them. Many of the younger riders were listening to music and/or making use of technology in the form of a phone or other handheld device. As the bus driver asked for transfers needed, each passenger needing transfers yelled out the number they needed. This was the only time people communicated with each other, and most of it was nonverbal communication, with nods of the head and subtle smiles.

Once the bus reached the GTC, all those who needed to deboard to finish their trip or transfer to their next bus did, with very little eye contact made between the travellers, unless the both tried to exit at the same time. Only two people responded, or spoke to the bus driver as they exited the bus.

Route 2, from GTC to MSUM

As the bus arrived, all those who would be riding started to form a line. Everyone in the line stayed far enough apart that they would not be touching. The people that departed the bus were largely college students, all dressed in very ‘hip’ clothing, many with their phones out, doing various different things.

There were very few people on the bus for this route; there was one young man just returning from the doctor and one young woman. All riders of the bus stayed well gapped out, all towards the rear of the bus. Between the GTC and MSUM, there was only one other person who Knecht and Mueller 11 got on the bus, a man in his mid 40’s from the grocery store, Hornbacher’s. He was the only one remaining on the bus as all the remaining riders departed at MSUM. There was a line of young college students waiting to board the bus, many appeared to be friends and were having animated conversations.

Route 8, from MSUM to GTC

Waiting for this bus proved to be a little different than others, simply because there was no bus shelter to wrangle everyone in. All of the potential riders stayed within the fifteen feet of the spot, and only a few people spoke with one another. One young woman, walking to the stop walked all the way to the front, cutting in front of at least five people behind her. She did not seem to realize what she was doing, even though there was really no ‘official’ line. She was called back to the end by her friend, where she remained.

As the bus pulled up, there were many people that departed. All of them were young people, a high probability that they were college students. Several had shopping bags from local stores and many of them were in friendly groups, talking with each other. Once all of us had boarded the bus, there were still the standard gaps between riders, as with all other rides.

This bus held much more diversity, in both age and race, than any of the other bus rides.

There were several elderly people as well as several older than average students. Their behavior still held true with everyone else’s, with very little, if any, communication between riders.

Anytime communication was introduced, there was nervousness on the end of the receiver and the communication was never reciprocated.

Route 11, from GTC to 25th Ave & Broadway Knecht and Mueller 12

The latest time of night of observations led to the most interesting experience. There were five men and one woman on the bus; with the most elderly people on this route. All the riders were in their late 20s and older.

There were two men sitting in the back that appeared to know each other, and still with that they felt the need to make sure there was at least one seat in between them; their conversation remained stilted and very short through the whole trip. There was only one person that was picked up after the bus left the GTC.

Nearing the hospital, the bus came to a stop to let on a new rider. An African man got on the bus, and while paying the bus driver asked him to become a bit more visible to the driver.

This agitated the rider to the point of yelling at the driver that he was as visible as he could be without standing in the street. The bus driver told him that standing in the street was not what he meant, and the rider took his seat. The rider remained agitated the whole rest of the ride, randomly complaining to whoever felt like listening.

After exiting the bus, wherein everyone on the bus got off at the same spot, the aforementioned man started a conversation with one of the elderly men, talking down about the bus driver and stating how stupid he thought it was that he asked him to be more visible. He continued to speak until out of hearing range.

Limitations

Due to pressing schedules, we were only able to observe during a single day, and only a very small number of routes. More time and a far more broad number of observations would be needed for a full understanding the people who ride the MATBUS and the social interactions as practiced by those riders. Knecht and Mueller 13

As portions of both rides observed only involved one college campus, the results could also vary once other colleges around the area were taken into account; MSUM is a liberal arts college, while Concordia, located in Moorhead, MN is a religiously based school, more commonly associated with a financially richer student body. There are also several technical colleges as well as North Dakota State University (NDSU). NDSU is a large university located in

Fargo, ND that has a student body based in research and has a very large sports program.

Conclusion

With the Fargo/Moorhead community continuing to grow, both in size and diversity, it’s an interesting cross section of the community that is seen on public transportation. Their reasons may be their own (financial, time, environment, etc), but their attitudes involved all seem to be very similar. Whether young or old, student or business (wo)man, rich or poor, there seems to be a set of social norms that are followed. Sociologically exploring these is important because we were able to see how a section of the community interacts with each other, how important it is to follow the norms set out within the culture, and how one might be socially punished for not following the role placed upon them. Knecht and Mueller 14

Jennifer Knecht Field Notes

Starting point: Bus #2, MSUM 14th St stop, going to GTC, 3:30-ish pm:

Passengers line up to the right of the door and wait for deboarding passengers to exit. Once signaled to board, they quickly scan cards or transfer tickets or enter cash. Same as on Bus 2, passengers take seats in empty rows unless travelling with someone.

When there are no more empty rows, a young woman sits with an older one, facing slightly outward toward aisle. Both request and acknowledgement done w/out talking: 1st motions to empty seat and waits, 2nd nods and moves bag at her feet slightly, toward wall. 1st sits on edge of seat, facing slightly outward, toward aisle, keeps attention on handheld device.

– four students in back benches, talking about a television show they watched (missed name), late teens/early 20’s, one male, three female, women wearing leggings, knee-high boots, and “pea coat” style wool jackets, male wearing skinny jeans, DC sneakers, sweatshirt instead of jacket.

– woman 25-30, white, with a girl about 5yo, and several shopping bags from Walmart.

– senior woman with cane in elderly/disabled reserved seating; student in middle row

– man in mobility chair in other reserved seating

– two men sitting together, late 40s/early 50s (?) one black, one white, unkempt, shabby clothing, extremely worn sneakers, both carrying small tote bags, very full

– couple, male and female, late 20s, white, no bags except woman’s purse.

Most people wearing winter jackets with scarves, two men wearing baseball caps, other men bare-headed or with hoodies up. One wearing knit cap. Women either bare-headed or wearing knit caps. All passengers but two homeless-looking men looking at/touching hand-held devices (texting?). Two students, one woman, and one man have earbuds in, are looking out windows.

Other than students, most passengers appear to be lower-income. Clothing/outerwear not “fashionable” seems worn; more comfort than style. Other than those travelling together, passengers avoid eye contact w/ one another. Most passengers are white. Passengers sit one per row/ bench, with only those travelling together sitting together.

Driver announces each stop just prior to arriving but doesn’t stop unless someone is waiting or requested a stop.

Woman with child gets off at apartments east of Hornbacher’s. Couple gets off at Hornbacher’s. Knecht and Mueller 15

At GTC, 3:47 pm

Passengers deboard; passenger in mobility chair waits for driver’s assistance while able-bodied exit. Men allow women in front of them, all allow elderly passenger to leave first. Passengers all say thanks, or have a nice day, or similar to driver. Bus arrived late, so most passengers hurry to make transfers.

Bus #4, GTC to Walmart, 3:48 pm:

– Woman #1, Spanish-sounding accent, asks driver if this bus goes to Cashwise, wearing business casual pants with knee boots and knee-length quilted coat, 40’s

– Woman #2, about 50, wearing scrubs and nursing shoes (black), reading romance novel (Julia Quinn), wearing a North Face jacket, black with black gloves sticking out of pocket.

– Man #1 - white, 30’s, wearing jeans, Carhartt jackets, scuffed and worn work boots

– Man #2 and #3 look/dressed similar, #3 wearing knit cap

– Man #3 reading the Forum

– Man #4 – black, late 20’s, wearing baggy jeans and hoodie.

Most using devices. Man #4 has earbuds in, is looking out window. Woman #2 and Man #1 and #3 wear wedding rings. Most on bus appear to be lower/working class. No students. As on Bus #2, no one sits with anyone else, avoid eye contact, no talking. Driver announces stops.

At US Bank, Man #5 boards. White, 60’s, wearing sweats and hoodie with backpack. At Clay County Family Services/Courthouse, Woman #2 leaves, Women #3 and #4 board. Both white, early 20’s, heavily made up, strikingly dyed hair – one purple, one an orangey red. They take seats in separate rows, one in front of the other, and talk in low, angry voices.

Man #4 and #5 leave at Churches United. Man #1 and #2 leave at Target. Man #3 (and me) gets off at Walmart.

As on Bus #2, each passenger says thanks or have a nice day to driver as they leave.

Bus #4, Walmart to GTC, 5:09 pm:

– Man #1, white, 50-60, wearing jeans with flannel work shirt (can see collar) and work boots, Carhartt jacket with hood, black backpack with tear on left side and two Walmart shopping bags Knecht and Mueller 16

– Man #2, white, 40-50, wearing shabby clothes, torn jeans, jacket is worn and stained, frayed knit hat, sneakers, carrying 3-5 Walmart shopping bags.

– Man #3, black, late 20s/early 30’s, wearing two pairs of jeans, both hanging below his butt, one pair cinced with a bright pink belt fastened over right butt cheek. With plaid boxers. Newer-looking workboots (no scuffs, bright color), sweatshirt with hood instead of a coat. No bags.

– Woman #1, 40-50, short spiky “punk” style hair, dyed pink with handkerchief headband tied around her ears. Wearing red leggings and flats. Jacket is a hip-length wool cinched with a belt. (Looks like a character wannabe from Grease)

Man #2 plays with handheld device. Others look out windows. As with previous rides, passengers sit one per row. No eye contact, no talking.

Man #4 boards at Cashwise, 20’s, bright green cast on left arm, listening to Metallica through earbuds (and probably damaging his hearing because it’s loud enough for me to know what band he’s listening to). Wearing sneakers and baggy jeans with zippered sweatshirt. Gets off at apartments near Dilworth American Legion.

Woman #1 leaves at Moorhead Manor. Man #1 leaves at FS/Courthouse.

Woman #2 boards. Professional clothing (dress pants, heels) but hair/makeup don’t match (look more lower-class) Carrying messenger bag. Possibly someone just starting a new job?

Woman #2 gets off at Park View Terrace.

At GTC, 5:30 pm:

Passengers leave, again thanking driver or wishing him a good evening. 15 minute wait for other routes to arrive. Passengers enter GTC, sit with at least one seat between them and another passenger.

Man #3 walks around to front of GTC, isn’t seen again.

Man #2 sits in back row, picks up section of Forum left in next seat.

Route 2, GTC to 4th Ave South (Moorhead), 5:45 pm

Only one other passenger. Woman, 30’s, with two full r/u totes of groceries and purse. Wears jeans, scuffed hiking-type boots with wool socks, and knit hat. Parka-style coat with hood (faux Knecht and Mueller 17 fur trim), stained, worn. Sits in 1st row, bags on outside seat. Leaves at Moorhead Library. Tells driver to have a good night. Knecht and Mueller 18

Anna Mueller Soc 352 Field Notes Mini Ethnography

Bus #11 North Fargo Broadway & 25th Ave > GTC > MSUM 3:45pm

Rider one; American Indian woman; over 30; dressed well Rider two; Hispanic male; 20s; dressed well; stayed away from bus shelter while waiting for bus

Rider three; elderly woman; dressed well; smiled Rider four; male; 20s; winter gear and sunglasses

Rider five; teenage boy; ‘hip’ dress; headphones Rider six & seven; white men in 20’s/30’s, backpacks, well groomed

Rider eight; young Muslim woman coming from hospital Rider nine, ten, eleven, twelve; American Indian family, grandmother, mother, two children

Everyone not traveling together left at least one seat between them and the next person. No one was speaking to each other, unless there was a common experience shared, like transferring to the same bus at a later point. Many riders were listening to music; most of the people listening were men.

As we arrived at the GTC and we all departed the bus, there was politeness in letting people off the bus, and there was no pushing or shoving.

GTC As people exited their respective buses, waiting for transfers, they kept to themselves, just as they did on the bus. Whether they were outside or inside, there was still the separation of unfamiliarity. People were spaced out, either standing or sitting. People were spending their wait time reading, listening to music, or spending time on their phone or other digital device.

Bus #2 As the bus entered the GTC, many people started lining up to enter the bus. As the bus doors opened, many young, college students exited the bus. There were only a few people on the bus once it left the GTC, two young women and a young man who just left the hospital. All the riders of the bus departed at the MSUM stop, and several students got on the bus. Knecht and Mueller 19

Bus #8 MSUM > GTC > North Fargo 8:45

While waiting for the bus, all the riders were college students. Most were of average age with two older than average students also waiting for the bus. With no seating area, everyone stood near the bus stop. As riders exited the bus, they were all younger, college students. Many of them had shopping bags from stores located in West Acres.

As we entered the bus, many students sat together, speaking with each other while others stayed strict to the one – two spots between them.

Bus #11 Even with a familiarity between male friends, there was a space between them.

There was a young African American man, who had a verbal scuffle with the bus driver.