Recently, I caught up with a college friend who reminded me just how much of a hustler I was back in the
day. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but looking back now—especially at the years between 1987 and 1991—I can see how determined I was to carve my own path. One significant part of my journey to independence was tied to an unexpected source: the Greyhound bus station.
The Challenge of Financing College
During my first semester of college, my mom and I realized that if I was going to graduate, I’d need to find a way to fund my education myself. I was attending a private university with costs far beyond what I anticipated. I considered transferring but decided to stay and meet the challenge head-on.
To make it work, I juggled work-study, student loans, a position as a resident assistant, and eventually, an ROTC scholarship. I worked relentlessly to keep everything together, but the journey wasn’t just about academics. My growth in independence was tied to something else entirely—traveling back and forth to school on a Greyhound bus.
A $99 Ticket to Independence
In the fall of my sophomore year, my transportation lifeline changed when my carpool buddy decided not to return to school. That left me without a way to get from Pine Bluff, AR, to Tampa, FL. Flying wasn’t an option—it seemed too expensive (I didn’t even bother researching it). Trains weren’t on my radar either. But I remembered Greyhound buses from my childhood, and it felt like the perfect solution.
For just $99, I could purchase a round-trip ticket with an open return date. That ticket guaranteed I could get to Tampa for the fall semester and back home for Christmas. It was affordable, reliable, and gave me a newfound sense of freedom.
The Long Ride: 24 Hours of Reflection
The trip itself was no small feat—24 to 26 hours each way. The route had multiple stops and bus changes: Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery, Tallahassee, and finally Tampa. Along the way, there were small-town stops and long layovers.
This was the late 1980s—long before cell phones, laptops, or tablets. My entertainment consisted of a Walkman (armed with cassette tapes), books, and the occasional conversation with fellow passengers. It was grueling, but those hours became an affirmation of my self-reliance.
By budgeting my work-study earnings and RA stipend, I made sure I always had enough money to cover my ticket. The trip wasn’t glamorous, but it was mine. It taught me the importance of planning, resourcefulness, and resilience.
A Small-Town Hustler in a Big World
One of my favorite parts of these trips was the reaction I’d get when I arrived back on campus. The Tampa Greyhound station was about six blocks from my university, and I’d walk that stretch with my duffel bag on my back and a footlocker balanced on my shoulder. Sure, I could’ve saved money for a cab or asked someone to pick me up, but I wanted to do it myself.
Those bus rides and long walks symbolized more than transportation—they represented my independence. I didn’t need anyone else to handle things for me. I had it all under control.
A Vanishing Form of Freedom
Today, buses are becoming relics of the past. Greyhound has closed stations in many small towns, including mine, and newer companies like Megabus are struggling financially. For someone like me—a small-town kid who relied on bus travel to access the world—it’s heartbreaking to see this vital form of transportation fading away.
The Greyhound years weren’t just about getting from Point A to Point B. They were about learning to navigate the world on my own terms. As I reflect on those days, I’m reminded that independence isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how you get there.
Greyhound buses may no longer play the same role they once did, but for me and so many others, they were a lifeline. They weren’t just vehicles; they were symbols of freedom, opportunity, and resilience.
Closing Note:
If you’ve ever had a moment in your life where a small act, like taking a bus, became the foundation for something much larger, share it below! Let’s celebrate those experiences that shape our independence.
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