Stop Requested by OPB Live at PSU in Partnership with TREC

I recently attended Stop Requested Live at PSU, where OPB’s Lillian Karabaic and Prakruti Bhatt shared stories from their 14-day, 30+ bus journey through some of Oregon’s most remote areas. Listening to them talk about the people they met, and the challenges faced by rural communities opened my eyes to how vital public transit is for older adults.

For seniors living in healthcare deserts, those buses aren’t just a ride, they’re a lifeline, helping them get to critical appointments and stay connected to essential services. For many, the bus itself becomes a gathering space, a chance to see familiar faces and feel a little less alone.

Living in Portland and utilizing the TriMet system has reinforced some of the concepts Lillian discussed, especially how public transit can serve as a third space for connection. One moment that stands out to me was riding the bus on Labor Day in 2024. I struck up a conversation with another rider named Miles. While I was heading to Powell’s Books, Miles was on his way to the nearest Greenbottle Drop with a black bag overflowing with cans. For the next half hour, two strangers who likely wouldn’t have met otherwise talked about bottle drop locations, the state of the healthcare system, and the ways we’re all just trying to get by.

Hearing these stories reminded me how powerful it can be to just sit and listen – and how much there is to learn from the everyday journeys happening all around us.

If you’re curious about the series, Stop Requested is well worth a listen. It’s a moving look at the role public transit plays in keeping rural Oregon connected, both physically and emotionally.

https://lnkd.in/gsc43V7Y

If you’re moved by stories like these, please consider donating or volunteering with your local public broadcasting group. They’re the ones amplifying these voices and keeping us all more connected, informed, and engaged.

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Lillian Karabaic Presenting at Stop Requested at PSU