BUS vs. CAR

Recently, on a Friday evening, I gathered my wife and two daughters and walked to the bus stop in front of Hurley Elementary School.  Thus began one of our standard family adventures.  I wanted to check out for myself how efficiently our city bus system runs.  We intended to catch the 5:24 p.m. bus, route 6b.  We waited in the shade since the bus was late.  After a while, my wife called the phone number on the bus stop sign, and the transit operator efficiently told her that the bus was still on Doe Avenue and would be at our bus stop momentarily.  The transit department has a computer program which can track all city buses instantaneously, and can determine exactly where each bus is located at any given moment.  Sure enough, the bus soon turned the corner onto Hurley and stopped to pick us up.  I fumbled in my pocket to produce the $1.25 x 4 fare to give the bus driver, then we found our seats.  I noted immediately on this hot day how nice the air conditioning was on this new, natural gas powered bus.  We must not have looked like “regulars,” as the other riders watched us, then engaged us in conversation.  All were pleasant, and I heard about their bus riding tips and experiences.  One disembarking passenger, done riding for the day, generously handed me his day pass (which can be purchased for $3.25) to use for our return trip.

We passed through a few neighborhoods on the route, picking up and dropping off passengers, and in about twenty minutes arrived at the transit center.  We disembarked and took a tour of the transit center, again noting the good air conditioning, along with the cute model train set on display there.  We also noted the return times displayed both inside and outside of the transit center.  Then we walked across the street where I treated the girls to dinner at the Hong Kong restaurant.  We ordered the #2 combo, family style, with sides of honey walnut shrimp and Kung Pow chicken.

We then explored downtown, to walk off our dinner.  We returned to the transit center a few minutes early to catch the return bus 6A to our point of origin.  We arrived back at the bus stop near our home right on time.  It was a fun family experience which I’m sure we’ll long remember.

Visalia operates twelve fixed bus routes that provide quality and affordable public transportation.  The bus system isn’t as convenient or direct as taking our own car would be, but certainly provides an alternate  means of transportation around town for many people, and was a fun and different way to see Visalia.  More details about Visalia transit and our bus system are at ci.visalia.ca.us.

PICKLEBALL
Pickleball is the latest rage for senior sports.  As I mentioned in my article last month, my wife and I recently signed up for an 8-week beginner pickleball class sponsored by our parks and recreation department.

While our children all played city sports when they were growing up, this was the first class my wife and I have enrolled in.  It was ably taught by Dan Fox who instructed us in the basics and rules.  Soon we were in heated pickleball battles with M.J., Cheryl, Grace, Glenn, Johnnie and others.  We enjoyed meeting other adults with similar interests.  Classes were held Monday evenings, and it was unseasonably hot, at least until the sun went down, but Rec has very little control over the weather.  There was even a little bit of jousting for courts, as some of the local tennis players felt the pickleball players were intruding upon their domain.  There will be future pickleball classes, and two new dedicated pickleball courts will soon be constructed at Recreation Park.  I predict they’ll be very popular.

WATER USAGE DOWN:
Due to the drought, Governor Brown has asked that all Californians decrease their water usage by 20%.  The Visalia City Council earlier this year imposed Stage 4 water restrictions.  I’m pleased to report that according to Kim Loeb, our natural resources manager, there was a decrease in water usage of 17% in April, 12% in May, and 9% in June.  This is encouraging, because the mandatory new stage 4 water conservation regulations didn’t go into affect until mid-April, and this is a decrease from an already water conservation conscious community.  Visalia has been under stage 3 water restrictions for approximately twenty years.  It’s a little easier to decrease your usage 20% when you haven’t already been conserving water as Visalia has.  There are still a few who haven’t caught the vision and complied, but for the most part, gauging from the dry looking lawns around town, Visalians are doing their part to conserve.  For a reminder on watering days and restrictions, visit www.gogreenvisalia.org.  For available water conservation rebates, visit www.calwater.com/conservation.


Warren Gubler
Visalia Vice Mayor
wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us
(559) 713-4400 x3313