Hey! Where Does This Bus Go? – Celebrating the Anniversary of a Transit Adventure
A few years ago, Tane found himself staring at a Metro Transit bus and wondering: Where does this bus go? It’s a question we’ve all asked at some point—whether as new riders, curious bystanders, or seasoned commuters who haven’t dared to explore a different route. That simple question led to something unexpected: Hey! Where Does This Bus Go?, a web series that celebrates the people, places, and experiences that make Twin Cities public transit special.
As we celebrate the anniversary of our first episode, let’s take a ride down memory lane (or, in this case, Route 23) and revisit the journey that started it all.
The Birth of an Idea: Making the Bus Fun Again
Public transit often gets a bad rap. Some think buses are only for people who have to take them, while others feel intimidated by the idea of navigating routes, transfers, and schedules. But as a frequent Metro Transit rider, Tane knew firsthand that the bus isn’t just a means of getting from point A to point B—it’s a microcosm of the city itself, full of stories, connections, and surprises.
So, in partnership with Metro Transit, he set out to break down the myths, highlight the fun, and show that taking the bus is an adventure waiting to happen.
Episode 1: Route 23 – The Ride That Started It All
Our journey began on a cold Minnesota morning at the Uptown Transit Center. Armed with a microphone and an open mind, I hopped on Route 23, which runs from Uptown in Minneapolis to Highland Park in St. Paul.
Along the way, I met an eclectic mix of passengers: a teacher on her way to work, a dedicated bus rider who didn’t own a car, and even someone who compared the 23 to a macaroni hot dish (because, naturally, we had to ask). We talked about the quirks of bus life, the sense of community that forms among regular riders, and the unexpected joys of public transit.
Of course, Tane also tried to test an age-old transit mystery: Can you order pizza from the bus driver’s phone? The answer, sadly, was no.
The Metro Transit Bus 23 route.
Why Public Transit Matters (And Why We Should Talk About It More)
Beyond the laughs and lighthearted conversations, Hey! Where Does This Bus Go? had a deeper mission—to challenge perceptions and highlight the importance of accessible, reliable public transit.
Here’s what we’ve learned along the way:
Public transit is for everyone. It’s not just for people who “have no other choice.” It’s for professionals, students, seniors, and anyone who enjoys the convenience and cost savings of letting someone else do the driving.
The bus builds community. Regular riders get to know each other. Drivers remember their passengers. Some even become Facebook friends (shoutout to Melanie from Route 23!).
Riding the bus is an adventure. Every route has its own personality, its own hidden gems, and its own unique cast of characters. Whether it’s discovering a new local business along your commute or realizing that, yes, there’s actually a bus that goes to Fuddruckers, the possibilities are endless.
The Impact and What’s Next for the Series
Since its launch, Hey! Where Does This Bus Go? has sparked conversations across the Twin Cities. Metro Transit riders began suggesting new routes for us to explore. News outlets like the Star Tribune and City Pages covered the series, helping spread the word. And most importantly, viewers started seeing the bus in a new light—not as an inconvenience, but as a part of what makes our cities dynamic and connected.
So, what’s next? Maybe a deep dive into the longest bus route in the metro. Maybe an exploration of suburban transit lines. Maybe more hot dish comparisons. Whatever the next stop is, we’re excited to keep the journey going.
Watch the First Episode & Join the Ride
If you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch Episode 1 of Hey! Where Does This Bus Go? here:
Because at the end of the day, public transit isn’t just about getting somewhere. It’s about the experiences we have along the way.
Transcript of Video:
Tane Danger:
My name Tane Danger. I am here at the Uptown Transit Center. I ride the bus a lot, but a lot of times you see a new bus, you see a bus route, and you think, oh, I don't really know anything about that bus route. So today we're going to start something brand new. It's a series that I like to call, “Hey, where does this bus go?” So we're going to start with a bus that I actually ride quite a bit in my life. It's called the 23, and we're going to figure out where does this bus go? It's going to be great. Alright, let's go. I love this microphone. Okay, let's go on. Let's get on the bus. Where are we right now?
Melanie:
We're at Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue going south.
Tane Danger:
I wouldn't want to talk this early in the morning either. Okay. Another big landmark here. Lakewood Cemetery.
Haakin:
I bike most of the time.
Tane Danger:
Oh, you bike most of the time. Even right now when it's like two degrees outside.
Haakin:
That's why I'm on the bus.
Tane Danger:
Yeah, that's smart. This is one of the places it goes, which is Nicollet and 38th. Fun fact, we're going by my house. They don't care. It's fine.
Susana:
I'm going to the school. Actually I am a teacher, so.
Tane Danger:
Oh, you're a teacher. What do you teach?
Susana:
I teach fourth grade. Fourth grade. That sounds hard.
Susana:
Yeah, it is.
Tane Danger:
The light rail ate up a lot of our friends on the bus. But you got to take that journey then and you got to say goodbye to this part of your life and start a new life on the blue line. Why is the 23 so great?
Rick:
Life is great and being part of this community makes even greater.
Tane Danger:
Can you tell me the love story of the 23? How did you fall in love with it?
Melanie:
The people on this route, the fact that people can relax and talk to one another and talk to me. Community, neighborhood, small town, however you want to put it. It's home.
Snezena:
Melanie is, she knows pretty much all the regulars. We're Facebook friends,
Tane Danger:
You're Facebook friends with Melanie. We are passing right now through beautiful Longfellow Minneapolis. If I were riding this bus for the first time, all of a sudden you take a right down this residential street and you think, oh no, maybe the bus driver's just driving to their house and they have decided to stop for the day and I'm going to have to go live with them. But that's not what's happening. This is very dramatic. We will be crossing over the Ford Parkway Bridge and look it. I'm just going into St. Paul right now as though it weren't like a foreign country. We are in Highland Park now, so we're doing a little halftime check in. I did not know by the way that you had a phone here.
Melanie:
Yes.
Tane Danger:
You can call for pizza.
Melanie:
No, We can't call pizza. Sorry.
Sue:
I have met people on the bus and you can get just about anywhere you need to go. I do not have a car. So for me the bus is the greatest way to travel.
Tane Danger:
Why is the 23 so great?
Susana:
Um, I have no idea, but it’s good.
Tane Danger:
If you were to sort of characterize the 23 as a brand of chocolate bar, what would you call the 23?
Sue:
Oh wow. I don't know.
Tane Danger:
If the 23 were a type of hot dish, what kind of hot dish would it be?
Tara:
Macaroni.
Tane:
Macaroni?
Tara:
Most of the time.
Tane:
It's smooth most of the time. That's good. It seems like whether you like people or you like being alone, this bus has everything for you. That's the end of the ride. Sort of anticlimactic. It feels like there should be confetti that falls from the top of the bus. This was very fun. Thank you for coming along. But there we go. We're circling around Arby's Island. Hey, where does this, what am I doing? So you can't take a bus outside the metro areas?
Melanie:
That is correct? Not on purpose.
Tane:
So is it not on purpose? Is it like when you're at the grocery store and if you pass the yellow line with your cart, the wheels just stop all of a sudden. So if you get to the edge of Hennepin County, just like the wheels all of a sudden seize.
Bus Rider:
I have never heard of a getaway bus before
Tane Danger:
I've made that up. That's not a real thing. Let's hear some squealing tires.
Melanie:
That is not going to happen.