Token Appreciation

I remember hopping on a bus, during my early days in this city, fumbling around and realizing I didn't have exact change, and another passenger, a stranger, coming up to the front of the bus and depositing a bus token on my behalf.

A random act of kindness.

Another time, a friend of mine encouraged a different type of random kindness -- giving bus tokens to the homeless.

This was much better than giving money, he suggested, because the homeless could get off the streets in extreme weather. (Later, a homeless advocate debunked this idea, informing me that most street people would trade or sell the token, given that they did not want to be inside a bus anymore than they wanted to be inside a building).

Why am I reminiscing about bus tokens?

Effective this Sunday, January 6, 2008, Metrobus will eliminate tokens.

Some find Metrobus as antiquated as the tokens and would like to eliminate it. But bus service is the primary means of transportation into and out of the poorest neighborhoods of this city and its suburbs. And while I am enamored with light rail and bicycles as clean and efficient transit, I realize that there are people in this city who really need the bus.

In addition, for bicyclists, it's easy to put your bike on the front rack and ride the bus if you run into inclement weather or mechanical difficulties.

The "tails" side of Metrobus token states: "Metrobus: Serving Our Nation's Capital."

That, I hope, is one thing that will not change on Sunday.