My first experience riding the 30-Stockton was during a Spare The Air day a few years back. I was in the city with my dad and since we weren't able to accomplish what we came for, I figured I might as well take the oppurtunity to explore. Now, this was the first time I had ever been allowed in the city by myself so I was a bit uneasy at where to start. Chinatown was the only place I knew of and since it was close to Union Square, I figured that was a good place to start.
After wandering around Chinatown for about an hour, I figured it was about time I head back to meet my dad. A brief glance at the map told me that the 30-Stockton would drop me off right at Union Square. About 4 minutes later, I see a full bus lumbering towards my stop. Now, I have been taking the bus in Vallejo for about 5 years so I figured it couldn't be that different. I saw people cussing out the driver, crazy people singing to themselves, people yelling at objects, and the occasional stinky man. None of that prepared me for the sheer number of people on that bus. It was almost impossible to get in, and I was going through the back door. After much elbowing and shoving, I had managed to squeeeze myself onto the second step of the door. For those unfamiliar with MUNI buses, the back doors won't close if someone is standing on the back steps. I knew that there was enough room for me to get on, but no one wanted to move. I didn't want to move either. When the bus driver wouldn't move, people started to stare at me. I stared right back. 10 seconds of this and the old guy closest to me reluctantly began to move.