BY: ANDREW COLTRIN

Microcosm Publishing presents Kate Lopestri's collected observations on the wonders of riding public transportation. Filled with lighthearted anecdotes, as well as practical advice for those who choose to forgo driving, the Omnibus is a reminder that crowded buses and trains can be entertainment.

I was already an admirer of Kate Lopresti’s zine, Constant Rider, when Heather at Bookmans Secret Headquarters handed me a review copy of the Omnibus. The Constant Rider Omnibus collects the first seven issues of Kate’s adventures, observations, and advice distilled from over a decade of experiencing all the modes of public transportation the Western World has to offer. This includes not only crowded metropolitan buses, but also crowded inter-city buses, crowded trains, and the staid and stalwart crowded jet airliner.

It would be irresponsible of this review to leave you with the impression that Kate focuses overly much on the less comfortable aspects of riding the common vehicles. In reality, she spends much more ink celebrating all the ways a public transport rider can enrich their lives, or at least entertain themselves, when their attention is not otherwise consumed by the stressful, behind-the-wheel responsibilities of drivers.

As a Bookmans person, one of my favorite parts of the book is the “Books on the Bus” section. In the summer of 2002, Kate kept a log of what books were being read by people riding Portland’s Tri-Met transit system. An example: 

TIME: AUGUST 13 5:10 PM
ROUTE: MAX TO GRESHAM

Wearing: shorts, tennis shoes, and a gray t-shirt in a football cut. Reading: Don Quixote. Brains and brawn! As I checked out his book, he returned a cold stare that told me to mind my own business. This hombre was 100% bad attitude. Or as Miguel de Cervantes always used to say, “Muy mal actitude.” 

Everyone is a rider at some time or another. It’s good to know there is a Constant Rider out there ready to give the rest of us some inside info on having a successful trip.

Andrew Coltrin has spent the past three months substitute teaching. When he isn't busy battling wills with 7th graders, he is either working on the next issue of Bony Landmarks, or watching Gilmore Girls DVDs with his family.