Xiao Yu Xu

TA’s Downtown Customer Service Center in San Jose is usually a hustle and bustle of people hurrying in and out, and this Friday afternoon was no exception.  Although the rush of the end of day seems to inundate everyone, Xiao Yu Xu remains calm as she peruses the individual bus route schedules. She is intently studying the 168 and contemplating a trip to the Gilroy Outlets. Xu is a visiting scholar from China and currently, serves as an Associate English Professor at San Jose State University. 

Her mission today is to determine the best shopping locations to visit.  Xu has been in the United States since December and will be returning to her homeland in another five months. As a result, she is determined to sightsee and can’t think of a better way to tour the finest shopping locations the Bay Area has to offer than by taking public transportation. Also, Xu wants to practice her English skills with Americans on the bus or light rail.

“I found it is a good opportunity to speak to people. Everyone is very amenable and I would travel everywhere if time permits,” explained Xu.

On average, Xu spends about three hours on light rail and buses in order to tour the valley. Thanks to VTA, Xu has visited Westfield Shopping Center’s Valley Fair and Santana Row. Her experience has been positive.

“I think the operators are quite good. They are kind and do their jobs well; I appreciate their hard work.”

Xu has mostly limited her sight-seeing trips to locations within Santa Clara County.  But as she familiarizes herself with VTA, she is now more adventurous. With a determined look Xu grabs a 181 schedule and studies it. She plans on taking it to Fremont’s BART Station. From there, her destination is San Francisco’s Union Square.