By Jennifer Griffith, Regional Director CLE Monterey and Costa Mesa
Travis Kenyon was interviewed regarding his mastery of the Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) system and his active engagement with the Monterey Community as it pertains to navigating public transportation. Travis is so adept in navigating the surrounding communities that he has supported new students at the Monterey center in learning how to get out and about, trouble-shooting difficult transportation issues and teaching the team travel time needed for students who are traveling from different locations throughout Monterey County. Travis is a dedicated and kindhearted student, who has been a well-respected member of the Monterey and CLE Community since August 2008. Thank you, Travis, for all you have done for the CLE and the greater community!
What makes you an MST Guru?
I frequent most of the lines, and have memorized the scheduled time points and flag stops, as they call them. Flag stops are bus stops. MST gets technical with their language. It’s a lot of information to memorize — even the bus operators get surprised by what I know. While bus drivers and operators refer to the Rider’s Guide, I can answer questions off the top of my head. Not all the flag stops are in the Rider’s Guide. Bus drivers know the lines, but the schedules change a lot. I’m able to keep up with the changes.
How did you get involved as an MST volunteer? How long have you been a volunteer?
A fellow CLE student shared with me about the MST Navigator Program. It’s a volunteer program that assists people with navigating their community through public transportation. I’ve been volunteering with MST for two, almost three, years now. What I do now is help with administrative things like scanning taxi vouchers. I volunteer three to seven hours per week.
What fascinates you about MST?
I am fascinated that they have the funding to increase the frequency of their Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which are the Jazz Buses. The Jazz Buses are synchronized to do pick-ups every five minutes during peak hours. They also run from Sand City to Monterey Peninsula College to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and back, without the need for passengers to transfer buses.
How have you helped others learn about MST?
For the CLE students who know me or let me, I have helped them with figuring out bus lines. For example, there’s one student who lives in the apartments behind MPC who wanted to know if there was a way to catch the bus without having to walk all the way down to the campus bus stop through the football field. I suggested one line that stops near her apartment complex, and it turns out that line is much faster for her than the Jazz Buses are. I also like assisting new bus drivers with the information I have, especially when there are new schedules.
How can others become MST Gurus?
They can begin by watching this video on the MST Navigator Program: https://www.mstmobility.org/mst-navigators.htm
What technology can people use to get better using mass transit?
Apple Maps has MST updates in real time, and bus passenger could always check the MST Twitter. That’s always updated!
