Seniors Help Research Convenience of Public Transportation in Mountain View

Public transportation sometimes gets a bad rep.

People will complain about the infrequent service and the cost per ride. However, many do appreciate the service especially when buses take you where you want to go.

Ellen Uhrbrock is researching Farmers Markets accessible to seniors to shop for groceries—and safely enjoy the day.

"Planning transit trips for seniors is what I do," Uhrbrock said. "It is a mission and I want seniors in the Bay Area to know that travel by transit can be an option. For now and until June—I am a volunteer at Avenidas, and I am trying to spread the word that life doesn't end when you give up your car."

She uses as examples some of the local Farmers Markets that are on public transit routes.

"The Mountain View Sunday market is a wonderful example. So are the markets in Menlo Park and on California Ave. in Palo Alto," she told Patch.

She's excited that the new El Camino Hospital Friday Farmers Market is on VTA bus line No. 51, because "the 51 goes many places where seniors want to go."

"VTA buses are beautifully equipped to carry passengers with walkers or wheelchairs and the service is flawless," she said.

For the Lunar New Year celebration she accompanied seniors from Palo Alto City Hall to the Mountain View Senior Center on VTA bus No. 35 to test the convenience of travel. She decided to share her photos with Patch readers.

Uhrbrock plans to document a trip to the El Camino Hospital Farmers Market too. Check back for those photos too!

Where do you take VTA or Caltrain to? Or do you use SamsTran more? Is it convenient for you? Tell us in comments!