One Gallon, One Week

WEDNESDAY EVENING—HOW YOU CAN RIDE, TOO
I wanted you to be aware of at least how to reach the area transit organizations in case you’re thinking of getting on the bus.

Kingsport Area Transit
109 Clay St.
Kingsport, TN 37760
(423) 224-2613
http://www.kingsporttransit.org

Johnson City Transit System
137 W. Market Street,
Johnson City, TN 37604
Tel: 423.929.7119

http://www.johnsoncitytransit.org/

Bristol, TN Transit System
212 Blackley Road,
Bristol, TN 37620
Tel: 423.989.5586

http://www.bristoltntransit.org/

It is my understanding the Bristol,TN transit transfers to Bristol, VA.

Happy Riding.
I’d love to hear from you on your adventures.  And, if there are questions I might be able to answer, feel free to drop me a comment.

WEDNESDAY—CHECK OUT OUR STORY
I’m working my best to get the video Phillip Murrell edited on the site.  I’ll keep trying if it doesn’t post soon.  I promise.

MONDAY—THE WEEK AFTER
So, I drove to work today.  Just to update you:  Last week, Monday through Friday, I racked up on 6.7 miles on my jeep.  You’ll find out Wednesday how I spent what little gas I was allowed to spend.  Right now, I should be writing the story that you will see at 6PM on the 30th.  But, do you know how much stuff we shot?  You name it.  We have everything from bus rides, to cab adventures, to scooter stories.  I doubt I’ll compare how much I drive this week compared to last in my story.  It’s kind of embarrassing to think how much we rely on our gas guzzlers.  Fortunately, I shouldn’t miss Bible study this week.  So, that’s one thing I am looking forward to.
FRIDAY—DID I SURVIVE?
Today was my last morning on the JC Transit.  Or was it?  It certainly doesn’t have to be, I guess. 
I’m still sitting at work waiting for my ride.  Listen, the newsroom is deserted at 6:15 on a Friday night.  So, that’s a drawback to not having driven my own vehicle to work.
This week I tried all kinds of forms of transportation, at least as many as there are available in this area.  Some were more financially beneficial than others.  Do you think Garrett at O’Sully’s Scooter Shop actually let me take a ride?  You’ll find out on News Channel 11 Wednesday at 6pm.  And, how did I use that one gallon of gas I had to splurge?  What would you do with just one gallon in your tank?  All things to consider over the weekend as I decide if I really need to keep the roads hot as much as I do.  Have a great weekend.

THURSDAY—EVERYDAY IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

You learn something new every day.  According to Ilene, the regular Johnson City Transit driver on my route, rates for the system have only gone up one time in the 20 years she’s been steering the way for countless riders.  And, did you know you could take a bike on board?  So, if you’re like me, and don’t get off work until after the buses stop running, you could catch the bus in the morning, take your bike with you, and pedal home.  Ilene says you are responsible for holding onto your bicycle during the bus ride, though.  No bike racks available on the transit buses.  Producer George Jackson leaves his bicycle at the tv station sometimes.  He’s off the next couple of days.  I bet I could swipe it tonight and have it back tomorrow, and he’d never know the difference.
Speaking of producers, Rebecca Berry, our 6pm producer gave me a ride home last night.  We stopped to have dinner and girl-chat on the way, though.  I do waste a lot of money on eating out, even though I like to cook.  So, this One Gallon, One Week assignment has actually kept me from dining out many evenings.  So, that means I’ve saved money on two fronts, gas in my Jeep and treating myself too much to dinner out.
I may have to take another cab home tonight.  If so, you’ll probably be seeing that adventure in our upcoming story on News Channel 11.  It’s at 6pm on Wednesday, July 30th.  Have a great day!

WEDNESDAY—WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR JEEP?

That’s what everybody’s been asking.  “What’s wrong with your Jeep, Selena?” That’s because I keep asking, “Can I get a ride home?”.  Jeep’s fine.  Then I have to explain surviving on one gallon of gas for a week.  I think people feel sorry for me after that.  Last night, Chief Photographer Chris McIntosh took me to the apartment.  He offered again tonight.  But, I have to be done by 6:30, or I might be hoofing it.  I could use the exercise.  I may try walking one day, but it’s over 2 miles.  And, let’s face it, you don’t want to see a sweaty mess on the air.
Tomorrow, I’m going scooter shopping.  We’ll see how many miles I could go on one gallon in one of those little things.  I knew I should’ve kept that motorcycle.  Who would’ve known?  Gas at almost $4.00 a gallon in the Tri-Cities. 
One more thing before I head out:
Kingsport Area Transit Service has a special deal going now that the routes and all have been revamped.
25 cents a ride through July 31st.  You can’t beat that anywhere else in the Tri right now.  Give it a try now while the rates are down to see if it’s worth your while later.  We know gas prices might not be coming down for a while.
Regular rates apply in Kingsport starting August 1st.
Uh, oh.  Chris just left.  Tim Cable would’ve given me a ride in the back of his truck, but my place isn’t on the way to his, so that’s really not fair.  It looks like Bill Christian is leaving, let me see if I can jump in his trunk.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON—JOSEPH, IT WAS NICE TO MEET YOU, TOO.
Below is an email from a fellow transit rider:

Ms. Wiles,

It was good speaking with you this morning on the JC Transit.  I wish more people would take advantage of the system.

As I told you, when I used to live in Washington, DC, using public transportation was a way of life but when moved back to Johnson City, I was glad the city had a system!

Ms. Eldonna Janatola, Director, should be commended on the coordination of the routes because, if you live in the city, you are to get around the city.  Granted, it may take more planning and time but take for example, if have to walk two or three blocks to a transit stop, think about the health advantage!!
.
Again, it was good meeting and talking to you!

Respectfully,

Joseph Seward

TUESDAY—THANKS CABBY

Last night, I made it home.  That was thanks to WW Cab Company.  $8.50 to go less than three miles.  This morning, I actually made it to work early.  If you only knew what an accomplishment that is for me.  It costs 60 cents a ride to take the Johnson City Transit one way without a transfer. 
The entire point of this assignment is to save money I suppose.  In order to do that, it looks like I’m going to have to ditch the cab option and go for bumming a ride in the evenings.  The morning commute on the bus is still a pretty good deal.
You see, I can’t take the transit home after work because it stops running about the time I get off the anchor desk.  Now, there is a Job Access Transit system that provides after-hours transportation.  But, it’s limited to the people who need it the most.  It’s for low income service sector workers and it extends service for an extra 6 hours beyond the regular transit service.  Because I don’t quailify, and shouldn’t really, I’m going to make a better effort to say goodbye to the Big 11 (News Channel 11 to outsiders) about the time some of my co-workers get off for the day. Maybe they won’t mind a mooch for a few evenings.

Oh, and I was 3 minutes from missing the bus this morning.  I’ll check back in tomorrow to let you know if I made it.

MONDAY—THE WHEELS ON THE BUS….

Are you kidding me?  That’s what every person has said to me after learning I have to survive on one gallon of gas for a week.

Disclaimer:  I shortened my week to Monday through Friday.  What, did you want me to skip church yesterday?  I didn’t think so.  And, the News Director didn’t give me any “rules” to go with this assignment.  So don’t accuse me of cheating as I update you throughout the week!

Anyhow, today I’d like to thank David and Ashley Schoenleber.  They got on the bus where I did.  They’re regular riders.  And, because this West Virginia girl never had to rely on public transportation because it wasn’t an option in rural Preston County, I really had no clue how to navigate the Johnson City Transit maps and transfer schedule.  They helped me.  Oh, and they’re practically my neighbors.  And, until today we never would’ve met.  (Good for me.  I can’t speak for them.)

Then there’s Dixie Barnett.  She volunteers at Good Samaritan Ministries.  Dixie, I hope I didn’t break your disposable camera when you asked photographer Phillip Murrell to take our picture.

Edith Thomas, I know you were headed to the Veteran’s Administration.  I enjoyed talking about co-anchor Tim Cable behind his back with you during our short trip together.

Bus driver Ilene Price told me she won’t be driving tomorrow when I am back on the bus to get to work again. 
I hope it wasn’t something we News Channel 11-ers did.

I’ll keep you posted throughout the week.  And, don’t forget to tune into News Channel 11 on Wednesday, July 30th to watch our television report:  One Gallon, One Week.

Now, how am I supposed to get home from work tonight?  It’s an uphill walk (both ways), so don’t expect that in the coming week.