The Casual Commuter

Riding With You On Your Way To Work

They’re called ‘Casual Carpools’ in San Francisco, ‘Slugging’ in Washington, D.C., and Houston. They’re strangers riding together on the way to work; ‘casual commuters’ standing daily, seasonally, in the breathy fog, the persistent rain, the crisp air, the blaring sun. A subculture in the suburbs, they anticipate their ride to The City.

They each hold a story in the brief encounters of the morning commute. Each in turn, they arrive and wait, briefcase to backpack, newspapers or paperbacks in hand; a polite nod, a quick hello, a barely audible ‘good morning,’ or with no greeting at all.

Strangers on a common journey, they do not know that anyone really sees them. I stood with them. I rode with them. I saw them. I introduce some of them to you in this collection.

The Journey Continues…

Marketeers ~ Vicky and Cindie (photo by Cheri)

Now that you’ve read about the experience of riding in a Casual Carpool, you can get acquainted with the Casual Carpool sites and neighborhoods, and special sightings around the East Bay as my partner and I visit Casual Carpool locations (25 in all) to distribute flyers. Did you know, my book is the first about Bay Area carpoolers themselves, since the Casual Carpool started in the East Bay of San Francisco thirty years ago! I was surprised too!

Please feel free to comment on my posts, share your experiences, any “urban legends” and your own stories about being a Casual Commuter. Thank you for coming along for the ride. I look forward to hearing from you.