SolFam Stories: Kristine

SolFam Stories is a recurring series that will highlight the stories of residents, riders, and SolTrans employees. These articles will serve as an insightful way for you to keep in touch with the community and matters that surround transit. Check out the last SolFam Stories article!

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Kristine. I was originally born in Arizona and then moved to Vallejo when I was 1. As of right now, I’m currently a college student attending Solano Community College in Fairfield trying to complete my general education requirements. I’m also trying to major in social work and eventually I plan on transferring to San Francisco State University since they have a great program there. I am really hoping to get my degree soon so I can dip my feet into a field I’m passionate about. 

What do you use the buses for?

Surprisingly, I haven’t used the bus during most of the time that I’ve lived here. I only really started using public transportation when I turned 18 since I don’t have a car at the moment. But this summer I’ve been using Route 2 a lot in order to get to my job at Mare Island Technology Academy (MIT) in North Vallejo. I work with the youth and it’s been a great time so far. Working with kids and being in the academic environment sort of gives me some useful experience to use in the career that I may want to pursue later on in my career path. 

Where’s your favorite place to eat around town?

That’s a tough question since there’s a lot of good places around Vallejo! But based on the restaurants that I mainly go to, I would have to say China Wok as my number one with Pho #1 in a close second. Since I live right by the transit center, I can just walk there whenever I’m craving some Chinese food; there’s a reason why they were voted ‘Solano County’s best’ multiple years. Aside from that, Pho #1 along Sonoma Boulevard has some delicious soup and rice plates too. I still have to try out their new location near Target, but either way I’m sure the food there is just as flavorful. 

What do you enjoy the most when you’re riding with SolTrans?

I wanna say that buses are a lot cheaper and more convenient — especially when you aren’t really able to afford a car. As I said, I live pretty close by (Vallejo Transit Center) so all I have to do is walk less than 5 minutes, get on any of the buses, and then I can get to anywhere around town. From the past 4 to 5 years that I’ve been using SolTrans, I wanna say that the best part would be the bus drivers and the people that you meet on the bus. The drivers are extremely friendly and I’ve been able to be friends with some of them since they recognize me whenever I hop on. Also, you get to meet all sorts of different people from a variety of backgrounds so that’s another cool thing that you get to experience. Sometimes people have even brought their service dogs on and would let me pet them! Another thing I find amazing is how kind people are. Although it doesn’t happen often, there’s been cases where people have paid for my fare. I always try to return the kindness and give back whenever I can, but so far my experiences have definitely been positive.

If you can go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why? 

Even though I’m not much of a traveling person, a place I would want to go to right now would definitely have to be in Hawaii. I really want to go to Hawaii. I don’t really travel much, but the place just seems cool for most of the typical reasons — the atmosphere, the tropical vibe, and everything else. Aside from the tsunamis, the weather seems pretty nice! I hope to be able to travel there soon. 

Be sure to be on the lookout around Vallejo Transit Center where our summer interns may be in the field looking for someone to interview. You might even get a free day pass for chatting with them and sharing your own story. Stay tuned for more installments!