I don't know what it is with me and birds. I am very kind toward animals, insects, and nature in general, but I make an exception for the birds at Alapai Transit Center.
Since the renovation, I have had no complaints for Alapai Transit Center. The layout is not hard to grasp if you're a newcomer. Signs are clear and route maps are posted for your convenience. There is ample space for bus on and off loading, plenty of covered seating, and the seats are somewhat bum-proof. I mean homeless unless your bum is HUGE. if that's the case, you can take on the city and county for discrimination.
Now for the reason I marked a 2-star deduction. I don't exactly understand the nature and behavior of the common bird, but I believe they are smarter and more sinister than they've led us to believe. On multiple occasions I have taken out a snack to eat while waiting for my bus and have been swarmed in a flurry of feathers potentially being showered with microscopic mite projectiles! Those of you who are familiar with the center pre-renovation may remember there always being a large mass of pidgeons and doves hanging by the fence: well, they're still there. At first they stayed in their claimed territory and I was thrilled to have had peace from this war. However, it was only matter of time before their dominion over Alapai continued... as planned. At first their swarming didn't bother me too much, but then I noticed an alarming increase in frequency. I would see people at the stop further down feeding the enemy. I didn't have the courage to step in the way. Finally one day I decided to pick up lunch from Plaza Clubhouse (yum) and would attempt to finish it before I'd reach Alapai. The thought that I was rushing to eat because I didn't want to be swarmed is ridiculous, but that's what it was. Well, I had only one bite remaining as I approached my stop which mind you is at the far opposite end of bird domain. As I prepared to throw away my trash I turned to the left to see 30 (not an exaggeration) white and brown objects. Yes, the birds, with wings full spread soaring directly towards me from the old stop on the other side of town. I thought they would at least land in front of me, but when they were about 2 inches from my head, I started swinging my backpack. A woman held her hand over mouth as she watched a fellow rider get attacked. She told me the same thing happened to a man a moment earlier and that he had moved to another area just to avoid them. It's not just me, I'm not crazy!!! So you see my friends, we must stand together against these "harmless" creatures. The next time you go to Alapai please take a pledge to not "feed the birdies." You may regret it. read more