Confessions of a transit rider

In most ways I'm honest but I'm not wealthy and have a confession to make. I'm under 65 and regularly put a seniors' fare ($1.65) in BC Transit coin boxes. Let me explain.

Until six months ago, you could pay a bus fare, get a transfer and travel in any direction for two hours. Then BC Transit changed it so a bus fare takes you in one direction only, for one hour.

An adult bus fare is $2.50. If I go downtown and come back this costs me $5.00.

Fortunately, there are ways around this. I can use a transfer to go home on a bus that's traveling in a slightly different direction. Also a tired bus driver will rarely argue about you having the right transfer.

A year ago when I went to buy bus tickets the store clerk asked "For a senior?" And I replied, "No, actually, I'm only 60." She looked embarrassed and said, "Sorry, I thought...."

Then I reasoned, if I look like a senior why not buy seniors' bus tickets? It is dishonest but I'm not wealthy and who's going to know? So I bought seniors' tickets and had no problem using them on the bus. A month later, I bought a seniors' bus pass. It cost $52 compared to $110 for an adult pass.

Using the tickets was easy but the first time I used the pass the driver immediately said "That's a discount pass. How old are you?"

"I don't look 65?" I stammered. He grinned and said, "You look nowhere near 65. If you want to use your pass put in extra money to make up an adult fare." Flattered but frustrated, I put in a dollar.

My destination that day was Oak Bay where I met an older friend for coffee. After hearing my story, she laughed and bought the seniors' bus pass for $40.00.

Then, feeling a bit paranoid, rather than buying bus tickets, I went to a bank and asked for quarters, nickels and dimes for bus fare. The bank teller said, "A seniors' fare is only "$1.65." I told her what the driver said and she answered, "Here at the bank, a senior is 60."

I caught the bus home from Oak Bay and when I got on a teenage girl immediately stood up and said "Would you like my seat m'am?" I accepted gratefully, as my left knee was hurting.

So I guess I'm a youngish senior. Or maybe a junior senior.

But I do get confused. Part of me likes looking relatively young. Another part wishes I were 65 or over and had the accompanying perks like a pension and a gold card.

One thing I know for sure. I'm a baby boomer. And I'm going to buy a bicycle.