The No. 4

I have always loved public transit. The Washington system was terrific. The Raleigh system was dreadful. The Portland system is ... wonderful. I love my No. 4 bus as it runs Southeast Division Street. This morning, the driver, a youngish woman with a very nice orange manicure, ran a patter that would have made an airline pilot proud: "This is the No. 4 to the city center of Portland. It will become the No. 4 Fessenden when we cross Burnside. We will run north on Sixth Avenue hitting the Y stops at Taylor and Stark ... " It's comforting when the operator of a large piece of machinery is aware of her surroundings.