Ceres: What’s your commute like? How long does it take?
Veronica: My commute is two hours and fifty minutes each way, Monday through Friday. I board the Metrolink train in North Main Corona at 6:12 am, and arrive at Buena Park at 6:50 am. There, I wait for my bus to leave at 7:23 am. It drops me off at Westminster and Valley View at 8:15am, and I walk the last 15 minutes to my work site. I have now been commuting for seven months.
Ceres: Why did you choose to commute instead
of driving or moving closer to your workplace?
Veronica: I commute because I chose to live where I can afford a nice one-acre, ranch-style house with horses. The 91 Freeway is the most horrible freeway ever, so I keep my sanity by taking the train and the bus to work. This way, I can relax, or get some work done. I will try to commute for as long as possible while I am at my current job, which I anticipate to be a long time.
Ceres: What do you like and dislike about commuting?
Veronica: I like the fact that I can sleep, read, or just relax on the train; therefore, avoiding the daily stress of being in traffic for two hours plus, each way. I also like meeting new people. I really don’t like the fact that each day is a gamble, as to whether the train will be on time or not, and if I will miss my connecting bus. If I miss it, I have to wait an hour for the next one. Also, the bus has broken down a few times, so buses are not reliable either. I had to pay Uber to get me to work on time a few times, which is another cost.
Ceres: If you could change something about your commute, what would it be, and why?
Veronica: I would like to see more train and bus services in case I have to work late sometimes. My OCTA line 21 runs only once every hour, stops in the middle of the day, and resumes around 2 pm. As of now, I cannot leave work later than 4:30 pm, which is an hour earlier than my shift should be, or I will miss my train.
Ceres: What is the best thing that has ever happened to you on your commute?
Veronica: I met many people, who are now good friends, and I wouldn’t change that!
Ceres: What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you on your commute?
Veronica: There was a derailment on my second time on the train, on my way home, and we were delayed for four hours. That evening, it was cold and raining, so it was not fun!
The Rookie
7 months commuting!
Veronica Woods works for a garment manufacturing company in Huntington Beach where she does product development mostly of uniforms, but occasional fashion items as well. Her company has factories all over the world, which she is in contact with daily to coordinate the making of the garments.
Photos by Lands of Void
"I like the fact that I can sleep, read, or just relax on the train..."
75 - Ceres Magazine - Winter 2016