On a Thursday afternoon, I left my car at home and took the bus down 16th Street, from Maryland Avenue to Roosevelt Street. The errand was simple: chicken for dinner, plus a few other things, from Los Altos Ranch Market. From the Roosevelt stop, it was just a walk across the street.
I'm out of work right now and watching every dollar, with gas prices on my mind. I have a car, and I'd normally drive and stock up. But I wanted to see what the bus can actually do, for me and for people on a tight budget who don't have a car to fall back on.
What it cost
The fare was $2 each way, $4 for the trip, paid in the Valley Metro app. The app was easy to use. My groceries came to about $25.
Before I left, I checked Uber. That early afternoon, before rush hour, rides were about $13 to $15 each way, before tip. Round trip, that's $26 to $30. More than the groceries.
The bus cost me time instead. The whole trip took about an hour and a half. At the start, I waited 10 to 15 minutes at the stop. If I'd checked when the bus was coming, I could have stayed home a little longer. And I could only bring back what fit in my backpack.
What I saw
The ride itself was easy.
Near Osborn, we rode past a car that had slammed into a light pole. I don't know what happened or who was inside, and I hope they're okay. It reminded me that when you ride the bus or walk, you don't get to choose what you pass along the way. You see more of the city, the good and the hard parts, and you learn to just stay aware.
As a man, I don't weigh safety the way some riders do. My neighbor told me safety makes the bus and light rail harder for her, and my mom worries it can be dangerous.
Mostly, the ride left me grateful. I have a car to come back to. Not everyone making this trip does.
What you can do
- The bus. $2 a ride. It costs you time, and you carry only what fits in a bag. Check when the bus is coming before you head out.
- Rideshare. About $13 to $15 each way on my afternoon, before tip. Door to door and faster, but it can cost more than what you're buying.
- Your own car, if you have one. Best for a big stock-up. You pay for gas and everything else that comes with owning it.
New to an area? Ask someone who lives there whether it's a good place to walk. I do it everywhere I go.
What I don't know yet: how this trip goes at rush hour or after dark. This was one ride, on one afternoon.
Your turn
Would you spend an extra hour on the bus to save about $25? Tell us.
I'm the subject of this story. Fares and Uber prices are what I saw in the apps on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
