A Teen-ager Who's Wild About Transit
Monday, March 10, 2008 4:15 PM
Meet Barrett Ochoa. At first glance, he looks like an ordinary 13-year-old on vacation in Houston from his home in Lufkin where he's on spring break.
But talk to Ochoa, and you'll soon find out he's no ordinary kid. Ochoa's passion is transit - METRO in particular. Armed with eight pages of METRO's 105 bus routes printed out, Ochoa has already checked off 96 of those routes. It's a feat he and his parents, Ginger and Michael, have achieved in the past three years.
And like many of us who never forget our first love, Ochoa's first METRO bus ride has become his favorite route.
"I've always been attracted to the Townsend Park & Ride. I feel connected," says Ochoa with an earnestness that belies his age. "This route takes me from the suburbs to the wonders of the city."
His must-see stops include downtown, the tunnel system and the medical center.
Ochoa says his passion for all things METRO began three years ago when he attended a convention in Houston, and his parents took him on his first METRO bus.
"And ever since, I have been interested and intrigued by METRO - the features, the mechanics, the instrument panels on the bus, the gauges, how it works," says Ochoa. "My favorite part is pulling the ‘stop requested' cord."
Riding mile after mile in METRO's buses isn't boring for Ochoa. "I get to look out the window and explore parts of Houston I've never known...places I've never seen, I've gotten to go to on the METRO system. My family and I have met so many nice passengers, drivers and different people who are riding."
When the seventh grader is not making A-plus on his studies or singing in the choir, he's on the computer, making spread sheets of various METRO trips. This is his third spring break devoted to Houston and METRO.
"We changed our whole itinerary because we like to utilize the rail and the bus," says Ginger Ochoa, a former school teacher and now full-time mom. Now when visiting Houston, they stay at the Marriott downtown so they can easily hop on the rail or bus. "We love it," says Ginger Ochoa. "My favorite is the #2 Bellaire with the beautiful homes and Marble Slab Creamery. And going through the Heights. They decorate their gardens now for Easter."
Ginger Ochoa recalls fond memories commuting to her first job downtown at a bridal shop on Louisiana in 1982. Dad Michael says he works in sales for a seal manufacturing firm - the same seals METRO uses in its bus engines. The parents - lifelong commuters in Houston and Dallas - seem just as crazy about transit as their son.
"Two former commuters gave birth to the ultimate commuter," laughs Ginger Ochoa. Peak at her home page on her cell phone, and you'll see a METRO bus; and glance at her son's cell phone - and you'll see a METRO train at Fannin South station.
Ochoa, who reads this blog daily, can recite the train announcements verbatim - in English and Spanish - complete with ring tones. ("Middle C, followed by F," he rattles off).
When asked if there's anything METRO could do differently or better, Ochoa pauses for a long time.
"I think maybe just adding more bus shelters to the bus stops. More bus shelters would make comfortable waiting times. Maybe add more bus service to areas outside of Houston that are not experiencing (METRO) - maybe Humble," says Ochoa. "Also, add more bus trips on various routes to lower the wait time frequency."
And would he like a job at METRO some day?
"Of course!" he says. "I could do anything in accounting, maybe work in the RideStore, a bus or rail operator. I'm not good with my hands. I like to study all the routes. I'm always at home trying to find ways to improve or increase service to that route. All these different buses, trains, car pools and all these services work independently, then come together to work efficiently and create one big picture.
"I wish I could maybe some day take Mr. Wilson's place, the CEO."