"WES Time" Essay Contest

In celebration of WES Commuter Rail opening on Feb. 2, 2009, TriMet hosted the "WES Time" essay contest and asked future WES commuters to share how they'll get to and from WES and how they'll spend their commute time on WES.

In a random drawing, one lucky winner was chosen to receive one All-Zone Monthly Pass and 30 people were chosen to receive an invitation to a preview ride on WES.

A few great essays

Loren B. from Tualatin
Once aboard the WES Commuter,
I'll first turn on my computer.
Catch a bit of the morning news
While sneaking in a tiny snooze.
Listening to the railway click,
Away from roads that may be slick.
Watching birds in trees go by,
Thankful that the train can fly.
Chat with friends or make some new
In time to bid the train adieu.

Melissa S. from Beaverton
As I walk to the Beaverton Transit Center, I scroll through my I-Pod searching for the perfect song to celebrate my commute on WES. "I've Been Working on the Railroad" is too labor intensive for this journey. Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train to Georgia" has soul but I'm not going to Georgia. I'm still looking for options as the WES commuter rail arrives. I ease into a seat as the train eases down the tracks. Avoiding the congestion of rush hour traffic, "Ease on Down the Road" from Broadway's The Wiz compliments my ride.

Darci H. from Forest Grove
I've been looking forward to WES almost since it was first approved. I'll be driving to the Hatfield Government Center stop to catch MAX and transferring to WES at the Beaverton Transit Center. I'm extremely hopeful that the SMART 1X bus will have a stop nearby and I can continue my journey to my work place in Salem. Luckily for me, I have an iPhone so I'll be able to catch up with my personal and professional contacts through email, Twitter, and Facebook, watch videos and listen to audio books from my public library. It'll definitely beat driving alone!

Elias G. from Forest Grove
My bike coasts into the station as I feel the cool Oregon air against my skin. I lock my bike, pay my fare, and climb aboard. Falling into place, I feel the embrace of the seat as it envelops me. I pull out the paper from my messenger bag and peruse the morning headlines. My team is up; stocks are down; the war drags on. I pull out my laptop and check my email. Nothing that can't wait. Leaning back, I close my eyes and prepare to spend the next half hour in peaceful repose: this is my WES time.

Jesse W. from Tigard
I'll walk in the rain as it's not very far, and such a short trip would be a waste in a car. I'll wait at the station to hear the clickity-clack to tell me WES is soon on my track. When the train arrives I'll board it with ease with trains so spacious I'll sit where I please. I'll sit back and smile as we zip down the track to know all the traffic is all at my back. I'll get across town "ahhh" with such ease 'cause riding the WES will be such a breeze.

Michele W. from Wilsonville
A few clicks on trimet.org's trip planner and I'm ready for 4 seasons of traveling WES. Old Man Winter brings cold and I bring myself to the station in a car. Spring has sprung and it's a SMART shuttle to the station. Summer is all about adventure, maybe rollerblades or bicycling? Fall holds beautiful scenery—this calls for walking and kicking leaves along the way to the station. Regardless of the season, once I'm on the WES, out comes the laptop and I get started working almost an hour early! This is a great way to start every workday.

The All-Zone Monthly Pass winner is...

Sara D. from Tigard
I live about a mile and a half from work and have a truck that gets 13 mpg. My grandparents live in Salem. To drive there uses about 10 gallons of gas—about $30 now. I will walk to the Tigard Station behind work and take WES to Wilsonville and then ride the 1X SMART bus to Salem for under $7.50 round trip. What more could you ask for?