To the editor:

On a beautiful Whidbey day last month I was standing along Smugglers Cover Road, waiting for the bus, just glad to be alive. The week before, I crashed my car into another on Highway 525; I had the right of way, but it destroyed both cars.

The car-rental company in Oak Harbor used to pick up clients, but no longer. Only a few cars passing this morning, standing in the deep woods, sun-warmed, and the place smelled alive.

Part of my lifeline at this point is Island Transit, a service I pay for and use when my cars are out of service. The bus stopped and picked me up, a cordial hello from the driver and passengers on their way to school or work or, like me, running errands.

I know it’s a service that is supported by the community. Always has been, fee or no fee.

I know it’s an expensive ride when you run the numbers. I will take the bus all the way to Oak Harbor for free. And I know that this bus- load of people benefit from my tax dollars, just as I am benefiting on this day. Besides, I’m alive, a miracle in and of itself.

I believe in public transit; I even use it because it’s convenient and free.

As more of us begin to realize that our money is not growing on trees, not growing at all in fact, we might even want to try something different.

Ride the transit; it’s part of what makes Whidbey Whidbey. And, oh, the view when you don’t have to do the driving.

Daniel Goldsmith

Freeland