I used to live on Highway 92 and would watch the cars when traffic would back up or be rerouted. I always felt sorry for the people who were stuck especially during regular commute hours. I would often imagine commuters taking a 'bus' instead so they could relax after a hard days work. I wrote this song thinking at least people could sing it when they were stuck. I would like to see SamTrans use this for their 50th Anniversary to honor the commuters in every community who are a big part of the transit movement.
“Ride With Us” is a high-energy tribute to the movement of San Mateo County and the people who keep it running. Inspired by real experiences in transit, the record captures the rhythm of the routes, the focus of the operator, and the connection between SamTrans and its riders.
Created in celebration of SamTrans’ 50th anniversary, the song reflects on the system’s legacy since 1976 while looking ahead to its future. It encourages riders to choose SamTrans as a reliable way to get where they need to go, supporting a system that keeps the region moving. It highlights the importance of fares, being ready to ride, and trusting the operator to deliver safe, dependable service, while also recognizing continued investment in cleaner, modern buses and the future of public transportation.
driving the 101 to leave the hood to go to the central coast beachs to have a 50th anniversary BBQ and dance and to have a good time with the community.
I am currently working on a psychedelic rock album and needed one more song to complete it. After seeing an ad on Facebook for this contest, I was inspired to create a track around the Bay Area transit theme. No matter how hard I tried, my usual Doors-style sound did not fit the vibe of the lyrics. Every version naturally leaned toward an indie folk sound instead. I first tried using guitars, but they did not blend well with the feel of the song, so I introduced the violin, which added a fresh twist and gave the track the energy it needed. I have lived in the Bay Area on and off for over 40 years and currently live and work in San Jose. The song reflects my experiences commuting through the Bay, using local transit, saving gas, and avoiding the stress and expense of car ownership. It highlights how fortunate we are to have great weather, beautiful scenery, and a transit system that makes traveling around the Bay smooth and enjoyable.
My goal was to create an upbeat, feel-good song with a memorable hook that stays in your head — “Ride, Ride, Ride Through the Bay.” I wanted it to capture the spirit of Bay Area life while making listeners smile. I hope people enjoy listening to the song as much as I enjoyed creating it.
All aboard! "Dusking" is a wistful, danceable indie-pop song that describes a sunset journey from the Caltrain station in San Francisco back home to Redwood City. The narrator rides down along the Peninsula via public transportation, watching and pondering the world going by in the fading light outside the windows. Traveling by rail or bus gives riders a unique view on the local landscape, and a chance to reflect and observe. Catching little glimpses and snippets of towns, people, homes, conversations and life unfolding as the train rolls along sparks the imagination and makes one feel part of the community in ways that a car ride does not. We're frequent pedestrians and public transport users and we know getting around by mass transit rather than car is not always as easy as one would like in an automobile-centric society, but preserving and improving transit is worth fighting for. The same goes for trying to make original, quirky an homespun art in an expensive and tech-industry-heavy region. Public transportation and independent artists in the Bay Area both face struggles but they carry on! The catchy song has a timeless, slightly retro, vibe with a beat that mirrors the theme of the journey, pairing well with the celebration of SamTrans' 50 years so far. "Dusking" appears on our new album "Concerns of Wasp and Willow," which was released this spring.
I started this piece with the contest in mind, just thinking of what I like to listen to when I'm taking the bus or taking other transit. For me that happens to be a lot of liquid drum and bass. Making something in this genre also allowed me to incorporate some samples to better tie the song to samtrans and the bay area. In that spirit, I used my phone to record the sound of the door pistons opening and a few of the bus announcements, as well as using the drumbeat from the song "Squib Cakes" by the Oakland band Tower of Power.
There’s just something special about ditching the car keys and hopping on the bus. For a guy like me, swapping out the gridlock for a seat on a SamTrans bus feels like true freedom—it’s just you, the folks around you, and the rhythm of the cities rolling by. I wrote "Fifty Years Rolling" as a bit of a tip-of-the-hat to that commute, keeping it down-to-earth and relatable for anyone who’s spent time navigating these streets.
The song aims to bridge the gap between 1976 and today, weaving in the history of the transit system with the familiar, everyday grind of living here in the Bay. I made sure to sprinkle in some local landmarks and a little humor, too—because we all know the pain of hunting for parking or dealing with those pesky meter blues. It’s an upbeat tune for the everyman, meant to capture the simple joy of moving through the city without the stress of being behind the wheel.
Whether you're heading from the airport terminal down to the redwoods or just catching a ride across town, this song is for everyone who appreciates the long haul. After 50 years of keeping us connected, SamTrans has earned a little celebration. So, sit back, relax, and I hope you enjoy my tune as much as I enjoy riding SamTrans.
FYI. I tried to upload the song in a previous submission, but the form wasn’t uploading correctly so I am resubmitting this correct form.
“The Plot” is a song I wrote about White Line Fever. White Line Fever is the phenomenon that occurs when you forget that you're driving, but you still end up at your destination. This reminds me a lot of the country and the world right now - everyone is on autopilot, and it's killing us. We've lost the plot.
Additionally, “The Plot” is a drag performance. I wrote this song from the perspective of the plot of any story. What would the plot say if it were finally given the chance to share its point of view? Unfortunately, in the context of today's world, the plot is malfunctioning.
There are a lot of artists who inspired this track: Chappell Roan, Remi Wolf, Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morissette, Brandie Carlile, Solomonophonic, Stephen Schwartz, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Darren Criss, Kings of Leon, Coldplay, John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac, Demi Lovato, P!nk, Train, O.A.R., Snow Patrol, and so many more. Thank you for motivating me enough to push past the rising action and arrive at the climax <3
I wrote this piece on the BART train on my commute to work. The beginning represents the peaceful early morning, with tonal harmonies in the piano, guitar and high horns. It slowly transitions to more chaos as more and more people begin to hop on the train. The chromatic lines throughout represent the sound of zooming cars passing by and the doppler effect. The solos could be interpreted as a conversation between the Trumpet and Sax, each having a story to tell. It transitions into a more steady, funkier groove that represents getting used to the commute and doing my own thing on the train. This section is where I came up with the title "Invisible Train Passenger". It represents me doing my own thing on the train, minding my own business, writing music without a care in the world. Nobody notices each other and I might as well be an invisible entity on the train. It comes back to the more chaotic swing groove and ends with a cacophony of horns with the groove of the rhythm section in the background. It has a punchy ending with a unison chromatic line which could be interpreted as the closing of the office door to the outside noise of a commuting SF Bay Area.
We are rising 5th graders who look forward to summer break and visiting different fun local places. This song is a fun and playful song that mostly uses mallets and synths to create this picture of traveling during the summer with cherished friends and family.
I wrote, recorded and mixed "Someday" for my second album as Gysele Ryder, Love & The Body Eternal. I found a sound sample of the BART train passing at a station, while passengers chatter, and interpolated it into the intro of the song. The lyrics describe the quest for self-actualization, a rumination I often have while taking transit in the Bay Area, and always reminds me of the feeling of traveling through California with other passengers around.
My song Ride on SamTrans reflects transit, movement, and community through everyday experiences. I've watched from my job in Redwood City, giving me a firsthand view of the people and stories that make our communities unique.
I've watched students heading to school, workers commuting to their jobs, seniors visiting friends, and families traveling together. These daily journeys inspired the song's themes of connection, reliability, and the way public transit brings people together.
As SamTrans celebrates its 50th anniversary, my music honors the role the system has played in helping generations of people move through San Mateo County. The song celebrates not only transportation, but also the shared experiences, friendships, and sense of community
My song Ride on SamTrans reflects transit, movement, and community through everyday experiences. I've watched from my job in Redwood City, giving me a firsthand view of the people and stories that make our communities unique.
I've watched students heading to school, workers commuting to their jobs, seniors visiting friends, and families traveling together. These daily journeys inspired the song's themes of connection, reliability, and the way public transit brings people together.
As SamTrans celebrates its 50th anniversary, my music honors the role the system has played in helping generations of people move through San Mateo County. The song celebrates not only transportation, but also the shared experiences, friendships, and sense of community
"Rush Hour" is a sound picture of a bus full of commuters, ready to start the workday. The busy, chattering beat is intended to capture the energy of commute hour and a new day. I composed it while riding the 292 from San Mateo to San Francisco and back.
The Pacifica Historical Society is restoring the historic Ocean Shore railcar 1409 that operated along the coast from SF toward Santa Cruz over 100 years ago. The song pays homage to the effort of early transportation and coastal development that resulted. Specifically, the current Hwy 1 operates along much of the original right-of-way of the original Ocean Shore Railroad. The existing coastal communities are located along the railroad alignment and today reflect the vision of planners of coastal development over 100 years ago. Sam Trans now operates on the Coastside serving the public as the Ocean Shore Railroad did 100 years ago.
“Keepin’ Us Moving” is a 70s funk-inspired, family-friendly song of celebration — an homage to SamTrans turning 50. As a Bay Area Peninsula native who was born around the same time as SamTrans, the rhythm of this community and its transit system has always been part of my life.
I wanted to create something spirited that would make a rider smile on a long haul down El Camino, or get a kid tapping their feet on the way to school. The song is short and hopefully catchy, with warm brass, a bouncy groove, and lyrics the whole family can sing. Fifty years of service deserves music that feels both reminiscent and current — rooted in the era SamTrans was born, but still energizing for today.
Thanks to SamTrans for keepin’ all of us moving forward as a community. Here’s to 50 more wonderful years!
This song talked about my inside heart surgery when I was in the hospital Fluid in the heart—known medically as a pericardial effusion—is a buildup of excess liquid in the pericardium, which is the small, two-layered sac that surrounds and protects your heart. While a tiny amount of fluid is normal, excess accumulation puts pressure on the heart, restricting its ability to pump blood effectively.
It's an instrumental . I'm trying to catch the feeling of travelling along . I was thinking about my commute down the peninsula to work . I'm just riding along on Cal Train and everything is going by. I didn't have to think about traffic and could just space out and enjoy the ride.
My husband chose to write a country song for the SamTrans contest, which inspired me to take a different creative direction. I wanted to create something more contemporary that would appeal to a younger generation and reflect the diverse community that uses public transportation today. My goal was to combine a modern musical style with a positive message about connectivity, accessibility, and the role SamTrans plays in bringing people together. By presenting these themes in a fresh and relatable way, I hoped to create an entry that would engage listeners of all ages while showcasing the value and impact of public transit in our everyday lives.
Growing up in the Bay Area, SamTrans has always been more than just a bus system to me—it’s the connective tissue of our community. My inspiration for this jingle comes directly from a lifetime of looking out the window during my daily commutes. I wanted to capture the literal and emotional journey of riding through San Mateo County, from the foggy coastlines to the sunlit hills of San Bruno.
The lyrics reflect the diverse group of people who share these rides every day, from students heading to school to seniors running errands. Mentioning the 50-year milestone was important to me because it honors the generations of drivers and passengers who have built this community together. Ultimately, I wanted to write something that feels nostalgic yet forward-looking, celebrating the shared experiences and beautiful landscapes that make the Peninsula feel like home.
My inspiration for “Aloha, SamTrans” came from the people who make San Mateo County such a special place. As I thought about SamTrans’ 50th anniversary, I wanted to celebrate not only a transit system, but also the connections it creates among neighbors, families, students, workers, and visitors across the county.
I chose an island-themed musical style in honor of the vibrant Pacific Islander community that has helped shape the culture and character of San Mateo County. The values often associated with the aloha spirit— kindness, respect, hospitality, and community— reflect the way SamTrans brings people together and helps them with their journeys.
This song recognizes the extraordinary diversity of San Mateo County. People from many cultures, backgrounds, and generations share this community, and SamTrans serves as a common thread that connects them. Whether traveling to school, work, family gatherings, or community events, riders are part of a larger story of belonging and connection.
With an uplifting melody, I tried to create a heartfelt tribute to both SamTrans and the communities it has served for the past 50 years. My goal was to honor the spirit of inclusion, respect, and togetherness that makes the peninsula such a special place to call home.
This piece was written for and about my lover. I'm super into music, my partner and I grew up and studied music together. I thought it would be sweet to write him a song that's wholesome and expresses how happy I am with him, but it lightly hurts to be apart sometimes.
Since I'm so into music and have written songs before for different occasions, such as music for an original mini musical I've performed in for high school, I decided to take my skill and write a silly, sweet, and goofy song about public transportation because that's not a very common theme in most songs. I wanted to include some wholesomeness in it by writing it for my lover! I am a young and passionate musician, samtrans connects me with not just my partner, but my friends and favorite places. I hope for my relationship to be long and prosperous like the existence of samtrans. I hope to celebrate 50 years with him like we are celebrating now with 50 years with samtrans.
At one point this year, I felt really trapped. I always wanted to escape but when I was on the bus to go to school or to go somewhere else, I always felt loved and happy. This was probably because of the people on the bus whether it was my friends or just strangers being nice. I also loved the bus driver and just the environment in general.
My co-writer, Valerie Lacroute, helped me with bringing out the feeling of being trapped and being able to escape when on the bus through the lyrics. My manager/feedbacker/friend, Reya Kedia, helped lift me up when I was at my lowest and helping me organize my thoughts and schedule. I am eternally grateful for her.
This song is about community and escaping reality when you are on the bus. I hope you like this song as much as I do:).
“Ride With Us” was created in celebration of SamTrans’ 50th anniversary and serves as a tribute to the people, communities, and employees who have helped shape public transportation in San Mateo County since 1976.
Drawing from real transit experiences, the song highlights the importance of safe, dependable service and the vital role SamTrans plays in connecting people to the places that matter most. It recognizes the work of the employees who keep the system operating each day while encouraging riders to continue supporting public transportation as it evolves for future generations.
Through its positive energy and community-focused message, “Ride With Us” celebrates both the legacy and the future of SamTrans.
Inspired by 70s instrumental pop and ragtime revival, this jaunty tune is inspired by the movement of commuting and transportation. It’s quick and easy to whistle as folks make their way around the Bay!
I'm currently helping to construct SamTrans' vision for clean emission, EV buses, as a consultant with the Infrastructure Team on the South Base BEB project! I'd be honored to help construct the soundtrack that SamTrans patrons enjoy while
"Drinking From the Well" is a song about the search for meaning in a restless world. Inspired by periods of travel, personal exploration, and seeking for deeper meaning, the song follows a seeker who has journeyed far—crossing horizons, climbing mountains, and drinking from many rivers—only to discover that external movement alone cannot satisfy an inner thirst. The "well" becomes a symbol of the deeper sources of nourishment we find through self-discovery and human connection.
The song's themes resonate with the role that transit and movement play in our lives. Whether traveling across cities or across seasons of life, we are continually searching for places, people, and experiences that help us feel connected. Ultimately, "Drinking From the Well" suggests that the journeys we share as a community can lead us home to something greater than ourselves. I see a resonance to all of that in what SamTrans provides to its patrons.
Transit fills the gap between work and home, between actual journeys and anxious anticipation. It is a time and space where our minds shift while the world around us moves.
One trip stands out vividly in my memory: a 4:30 AM ride from home to SFO on a foggy morning. SamTrans was the only way to get there without spending 50 dollars on an Uber at that hour. The night before, I had been packing nervously, worrying I wouldn't find the bus in time and would miss my flight. But somehow, I found myself seated on the bus almost effortlessly once I stepped outside. Around me, people were heading to early shifts — a few of them even got off at the SFO stop alongside me. As the wind howled outside and the fog blurred the world beyond the windows, my anxiety slowly gave way to excitement for the journey ahead.
I carried that fog into the lyrics as a metaphor: a reminder that things have a way of working out, and that we don't need to be consumed by anxiety as we move between places.
The song's name came from another quiet observation. While waiting at bus stops, I kept noticing daisies pushing up through cracks in the sidewalk. Once I noticed one daisy at one bus stop, I start to see them everywhere. They gave me a sense of familiarity wherever I go. As we travel from place to place, small constants like these anchor us. They are easy to overlook, but they are always there.
Fog and daisies — uncertainty and steadiness — together they capture what transit really feels like. And Daisy felt like the perfect name for a song about finding calm in the in-between.
Transit fills the gap between work and home, between actual journeys and anxious anticipation. It is a time and space where our minds shift while the world around us moves.
One trip stands out vividly in my memory: a 4:30 AM ride from home to SFO on a foggy morning. SamTrans was the only way to get there without spending 50 dollars on an Uber at that hour. The night before, I had been packing nervously, worrying I wouldn't find the bus in time and would miss my flight. But somehow, I found myself seated on the bus almost effortlessly once I stepped outside. Around me, people were heading to early shifts — a few of them even got off at the SFO stop alongside me. As the wind howled outside and the fog blurred the world beyond the windows, my anxiety slowly gave way to excitement for the journey ahead.
I carried that fog into the lyrics as a metaphor: a reminder that things have a way of working out, and that we don't need to be consumed by anxiety as we move between places.
The song's name came from another quiet observation. While waiting at bus stops, I kept noticing daisies pushing up through cracks in the sidewalk. Once I noticed one daisy at one bus stop, I start to see them everywhere. They gave me a sense of familiarity wherever I go. As we travel from place to place, small constants like these anchor us. They are easy to overlook, but they are always there.
Fog and daisies — uncertainty and steadiness — together they capture what transit really feels like. And Daisy felt like the perfect name for a song about finding calm in the in-between.
Inspired by a lot of the hip hop i listened to when i was on the bus as a teenager.
Submission #47
Anna Richardson
Created: June 15, 2026 2:34pm
Email: annarichardsonbp23@gmail.com
Phone: 6502858865
City: Redwood City
Artist/Band: Anna and Zoey
Track Title: Sun Stained California
Genre: Multi-genre/Indie
Streaming:
Sun Stained California is a song meant to reflect the beautiful in-between moment that occurs while riding public transit. For a short period of time, you're forced to sit with yourself in a way that many people, especially in the Bay Area, don't often get to do. We (Zoey Simpson and Anna Richardson) tried to channel this feeling while writing our song. We both found that the reflective state that riding California's transit can put you in forces both introspection and presence with what's happening around you. So, we tried to incorporate these ideas specifically into our lyrics. Musically, we chose to have a rhythm and melody that reflected the repetitive light bumping feeling one gets while sitting on a (SamTrans) bus and the chug of a (Cal)train. We both felt that to fully capture the essence of SamTrans, we needed to create a SamTrans station atmosphere. So, we recorded some sounds of wind, the SamTrans bus stopping, and the Caltrain arriving in the distance to quietly add to our song's background. We are so appreciative for California's public transit and grateful for the opportunity to pay it tribute. We hope you enjoy our tribute to SamTrans!
This electronic music beat titled “flows” transcends the sensation of traveling the Bay Area with SamTrans public transit from a passenger’s perspective to the literal physical movement from point to point. The upbeat rhythm of 120 BPM (Beats Per Minute) embodies the excitement of each step taken between stops, propelling oneself forward towards the daily routine and destination.
This fusion of classical instruments and electronic drumming instruments underscores the significance of preserving the authentic spirit of public transportation while simultaneously embracing the innovative approach of sustainable energy and the pursuit of an environmentally friendly future.
The track commences with the distinctive sound of bus, a staple in San Mateo County Transit. Subsequently, a beep sound is employed as a hi-hat throughout its duration. The upbeat and harmonious chords evoke the feeling of traversing diverse destinations, whether by train or bus. The track maintains a consistent “flow”, featuring sections that offer brief pauses or embark on their own journeys.
I grew up in San Mateo County, and the SamTrans ECR was the first bus I rode that didn’t go to my elementary school. I’m now an author and DJ who is currently working on my debut album. I hear rhythm in the voices and sounds of the ECR. In order to make this song, I sampled sounds from the ECR bus, loaded them into Serato Studio software, built different grooves around them and mixed the resulting tracks into a mini DJ set with the help of my Technics 1200 turntables and Rane 72 mixer. My song is 120 beats per minute and is inspired by the feel of old-school house music on raw vinyl. I think it reflects the excitement I felt when I was riding the ECR down El Camino Real for the first time.The intent is to celebrate this crucial route that brings the Bay Area community closer together. I also hope “ECR” makes you want to move your body!
My song, Rolling In The Bay embodies movement around the Bay and the SamTrans 50th Anniversary. As a Song writer I was so excited to create a song that represented the essence of the Bay area through public transportation and how we get form place to place within and out of our communities. A bus ride doesn't have to be mediocre or mundane. Whether you are trying to get to work or just out for a leisure day with friends, family or a solo adventure. I love listening to music on road trips and public transportation. Rolling In The Bay is a Jazz inspired theme song that I wrote as a musical appreciation of your many years of service moving people around the Bay Area with commitment and dedication. I chose jazz because I love coastal rides and being born and raised in the Bay I love being near the water and I felt jazz was a perfect sound to bring out the message with a very catchy melody and arrangement. Thank you for your 50 years of service. I appreciate you!
I wrote this song during a period of worker's burnout when I was forcing myself to wake up at 5 A.M. and keep pursuing my goals even when I wasn't mentally in the best place. The title comes from the belief that sometimes you have to be a little "crazy" or even delusional enough to believe things will work out before there is any evidence that they will. I refused to let the place I was in last year become an option for my future.
The lyrics reflect that mindset of constant motion. Many people are working toward something bigger than themselves. I know because a few years ago, that was me on SamTrans every week going to work, school, and home. The world runs on people whose hard work doesn't end when they clock out. They keep learning, creating, commuting, and building their futures after hours.
As a Filipino artist from the 650, I wanted to represent a part of the Bay Area that often doesn't receive enough attention. My dream is to become the next Filipino pop star from San Mateo County, and this song captures the determination required to keep moving toward that goal.
"Stay Crazy" connects to SamTrans because transit is ultimately about motion, progress, and possibility. Every day, people board a bus on their way to work, school, family, opportunities, and dreams. Even when the destination feels far away, the journey continues one stop at a time. In the same way, this song is about continuing to move forward when life feels difficult and trusting that each step is bringing you closer to where you're meant to be.
To get to where you want to be in life, you don't need motivation. You need to stay in motion. Stay delusional that it's going to work out. Stay crazy.
This song is inspired by my time as an Operator, servicing the ECR. This is where you see different walks of life. It requires a level of empathy to successfully and positively complete this route. Everybody has a story.
We're Soft Contact, an indie rock band born from a San Mateo living room. "You Must Get in the Car to Have Fun" satirizes car-dependent infrastructure in the United States. In much of this country, getting to your job or even just going out and having a good time requires a car. We're grateful and lucky to live in a part of the country where agencies like samTrans, Caltrain, Muni, and BART provide an alternative to getting around and connecting with our community. Many of our members grew up in San Mateo and took samTrans to get to class, work, and where they needed to go. We wanted to channel our appreciation and love of trains, buses, and beyond into what, despite the song's humorous name and chorus, is ultimately a poppy celebration of public transportation.
We're releasing our first full length record "The Imminent Collapse" on July 31st and the whole thing is a love letter to the Bay. It's a love that wholeheartedly includes the Bay's transit, going as far as to have our album cover feature a photo of a bonsai tree set against the nostalgic interior of the decommissioned BART car on display at the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City. Transit is legitimately something our band cares very deeply about. It's part of what makes the Bay the Bay, and we believe access to good public transportation is key to mitigating the effects of climate change and to preserving the Bay Area as a diverse community of people of all backgrounds and income levels.
We are so proud to submit our song to samTrans's 50th Anniversary Music Contest, thank you for your consideration!
This track was inspired by a journey home on SamTrans from around Redwood City Back to San Francisco. I didn't have a car at the time and I rode in the evening a good portion on the SamTrans. I was inspired by the observing the different cites and changing scenery. I wrote this piece to capture that feeling and also as an appreciation for SamTrans, facilitating not only people traveling but also a little moment of beauty and inspiration for me.
My idea was to create a soundtrack that would make me envision the future. While there are technically no specific "sounds" that make something sound futuristic, I was thinking about a world of eco-friendly automobiles. I believe the bus of the future would be eco-friendly and powered by clean energy. Since SamTrans is making an active effort to run on battery and hydrogen power, I used varied sound textures and melodies to create a sound that would replicate it. Additionally, I added another layer of detail by adding bus sounds and people talking in the background to give a sense of comfort. As someone who used to travel with SamTrans, I always found it comfortable and lively. Different people with different backgrounds all collectively use public transportation to get to different places. It really is symbolic and holds importance more than some people might believe. SamTrans is a symbol of society coming together as we embark on our separate journeys.
This song is about how grateful I am for public transit systems in the Bay Area, especially as someone who cannot drive but sure loves to get around! I use public transit to travel to work, school, band practice, seeing friends, and various other adventures. I commute from north bay and seriously spend around 8-15 hours a week on the bus and train, where most of this song was written! On the bus I have had drivers help me when I am lost countless times, received wisdom from kind old folks, and met one of my best friends by giving them a compliment. I hope someone who drives a bus hears this song and knows how appreciated they are. :)
ps. apologies if this form submitted multiple times
From middle school through high school, I took the bus to school every day. This song is about the people I saw over the years and the relationships I built with others during that time. Since so much time was spent at the bus stop or on the bus with the same group of kids, I have strong memories of the conversations and games we would play to kill time, and the stories and experiences we shared watching so many people from different walks of life in one place.
I also remember some of the specific people over the years: The middle-aged man who sat down next to me and lectured me on why I should never give up on my dreams, the woman writing strange symbols on her shopping list, and the bus driver who kindly returned my phone when it fell out of my pocket as I was getting off the bus. SamTrans showed me that public spaces could also be spaces of shared experience if you spent your time watching and listening.