by Jack Lee
Got an afternoon with nothing to do? Then how about a chauffeured tour of Chico for just $3.75 and perhaps throw in lunch for another $1.50? That’s what it cost me today. It was raining and not much going on so I parked downtown and walked over to the municipal bus station (aka the B Line) at 2nd and Salem. I bought a day pass that entitled me to ride the buses wherever they go for the whole day.
This was my first time riding our local buses, so I had no idea what to expect. To my surprise the buses were clean, warm and modern. They ran about every half hour, so wherever you decided to get off and go explore the next bus was never that far behind.
I got off on Whitman Ave. and walked into COSTCO and did some shopping. While there I also had the famous COSTCO lunch, a polish dog with sauerkraut and a coke that even included a free refill, the price, a mere $1.50, it’s the cheapest lunch in Chico. I timed it about right when I returned to the bus stop. I only had a 5 minute wait and her she comes!
The three buses I rode today were all about in the same good condition; no graffiti, clean and comfortable. The buses were also never more than about 1/2 full and while that was a plus for me the downside was the subsidized cost to the taxpayers.
My tour lasted two hours before I had to head back to write this story and get ready for an event this evening, but if I had the time there was a lot more places I could have visited on my day pass. Oh well, I guess I will save that for another outing. My only regret…that I didn’t try this sooner, it was a lot of fun. And I learned that you really can navigate around town on a bus without fear of being marooned for hours at one spot.
PS If you are not up for a day pass you can get a one way ticket for $1.40. If you are a student at Chico State you just show your ID and you ride for free.