Hsing Tsai

t’s another day in the life of 20-year old Hsing Tsai, who quietly waits with her iPod blaring at Eastridge Transit Center for Community Bus 39.  Dressed in jeans and a bomber jacket, she looks like any other VTA passenger ready to go home.  But for Tsai, home is thousands of miles away.  Tsai is from Taiwan and has been living with her aunt in the United States for a year.  Thanks to VTA, she has been able to navigate Silicon Valley with ease. 

“In Taiwan the bus system is not really great.  It’s crowded and unorganized, so sometimes they pick you up pretty late, if at all.  I’m always surprised that my longest wait is a half hour, every time,” explained Tsai.

Tsai studies English at the adult school at Evergreen High in San Jose.  She is reserved but very eager to learn about American lifestyle.  Taking public transportation daily has helped Tsai in many ways to observe and take in her surroundings.

“I don’t just attend classes using the bus.  I take Bus Line 31 to the library and when I’m out with my brother, we go all over the city using VTA.”

Although she has only been a VTA rider for several months, Tsai already knows the bus system like the back of her hand.  She hasn’t fully explored VTA Light Rail but there’s plenty of time.

“I’m looking forward to the summer, when I can really start enjoying San Jose.”   With that said Tsai looks down at her watch and when she looks back up, as if by magic, her bus has arrived.