The San Jose Express

Instead of taking the train or light rail to work this morning, I gave a third mass transit option a try. It's called the San Jose Express (or Line 55) and it's a new express bus that's been running between Monterey and San Jose since the end of August.

The ride costs just four dollars ($1.25 less than a one-way train ticket) and supposedly takes just 40 minutes (25 minutes faster than the light rail). For me, it's almost the equivalent of a door-to-door shuttle service.

You might wonder why it has taken me over two months to ride it and the answer is simple. Taking the San Jose Express means I must leave the house five minutes earlier in the morning. That may not seem like much, but shaving five minutes off my morning routine requires a minor miracle.

Well, today, I finally managed a miracle and got to the bus stop two minutes before the advertised departure time. I used those two minutes to congratulate myself. I then stood and shivered for another twelve minutes while waiting for the bus to arrive.

On the bright side, this is the nicest transit bus (express, late, or otherwise) I've ever been on. From the outside, it looks like your standard white and turquoise bus (white on top, turquoise below), but inside, it's a first-class ride.

There are overhead baggage compartments, reading lights, and adjustable air nozzles. The cushioned seats recline and have adjustable footrests and armrests. The bus is also heated. My favorite amenity, though, has to be the fold-down tray, upon which I can set my PDA and write.

We're a few minutes away from my stop and seven minutes behind schedule. We must have made up time on the freeway. If only the powers that be could guarantee a late bus every morning (thereby eliminating the need for a miracle), this would be the perfect way to get to work.