Riding the bus in T.O. presents a challenge
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

ALL ABOARD--A T.O. Transit bus waits for passengers, who need awareness to board the right route.

Riders should not depend on Internet schedules for the Thousand Oaks Transit bus routes because the times don't match up with when the bus actually arrives. Instead, go to city hall, the library, teen center or senior center and pick up a brochure for the schedules and route map.

Even better, call (805) 3755473 and talk to a dispatcher for up-to-the-minute information. Online there is a way to see in real time where a bus actually is by looking at www.nextbus.com. Rocket scientists and children may be able to figure it out.

"How are we supposed to do that?" asked Rosalie Berger, an avid bus rider.

She simply uses her experience and lots of patience to get where she wants to go. Berger rides the bus often and enjoys it, she said.

Those going to The Oaks mall while construction is going on might be surprised to find out they won't be dropped off at the shopping center, but near the mall by Wilbur Road.

Another tip in riding the bus is to make sure to know the route number, not just the color of the route as shown on the brochure. The route number is written in lights on the bus.

Berger cautions riders to "never get on a bus before asking the driver where the bus is going."

A rider should confirm with the driver not only that the bus stops where they want to go but also that the bus has return service at the time they need to come back.

"My busiest bus goes in the morning," said driver Frank Torres.

Housecleaners who ride buses to the Thousand Oaks Transportation Center from Los Angeles and then take the bus to local homes must be creative to find transportation when they want to return to Los Angeles later in the evening. There might not be a bus to bring them back, he said.

"They have to walk or figure something out," Torres said.

Torres would like to see more bus times on the schedule to better serve his riders, he said.

When someone misses a bus, the usual wait time for another bus is about 80 minutes. The buses leaving from the transportation center at around noon last Thursday were empty. Still, the city reports ridership is up.

Adult bus fare is $1. Students can ride for 75 cents. Seniors get a discount of 50 cents.

There are better deals for those who ride often. A package good for 40 individual trips costs adults $34, under 18 youths $26 and seniors over 62 and disabled $17. Children 5 years and younger ride free.

Those riding the bus are expected to have a bus pass or exact fare. Drivers do not make change.

TOT buses run Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. They do not operate on New Year's Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas.