Talking 'Bout My Transportation

Who Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: July 7, 2000

"Why should I care/If I have to cut my hair?" Those were the first words out of Pete Townshend's mouth at the Philadelphia stop on the Who's summer tour, and they hammered home the incongruity of the event.

"Why should America care about its public transportation?" queried Ron to the press corps before the legendary rockers took the stage at Fidelity Hall. "I took the bus here," said Ron. "How did you come?"

Unfortunately, the answer was obvious. The surrounding parking lots were overflowing with the cars that brought the fans, their alcohol, their food, and their canisters of nitrous.

Ron continued, "We have to make public transport more appealing to the youth of today...so they will be more apt to utilize its services. That's why I like what Philadelphia is doing so much."

In 1997, The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) -- which serves greater Philadelphia -- started a unique program to involve youth and other members of the community in designing and painting buses. SEPTA contributes the buses and paint, and members of the community donate their artistic talent to create the designs. The program is called Magic Bus and having The Who's music as the backdrop was no accident for this savvy politician.

The Who song "Magic Bus" was released in 1968 and placed well in both the U.K. (#26) and U.S. (#25 Billboard) charts. It is the story of a lad who takes the public bus to and from his girlfriend's house.

Although from England, The Who take a great interest in American politics. Ron had a chance to sit down with two of the seminal rock group's core members -- Pete Townshend (guitar) and Roger Daltry (tambourine & vocals) -- before the gig.

"Pete and Roger were great," beamed Ron. "They really understood my passion for this. They even gave me some 'roofies' to clear my head."

Since its inception, Magic Bus has covered over 175 buses with works of art by volunteers of all ages: students, scout troops, senior citizens, community groups, and individual artists. Their paintings have become a source of community pride, all the while helping to deter graffiti and improving the appearance of the buses. With Ron's urging, the Hall of Fame rock 'n' roll band decorated another bus for SEPTA.

After the sound check, Townshend, Daltry, bassist John Entwistle, and the stage musicians and roadies all came out to paint a bus. "It was bloody phenomenal," gushed Daltry. "A real cob-knocker."

Added Townshend, "The boys really took a liking to the painting and all the fumes. I think we did a real smash-up job on the yank bus."

Ron agreed, "Look at what they did...it's amazing."

Ron got the photo opportunity he desired and the band proudly posed in front of their masterpiece. Playing heavily on the double Magic Bus theme, The Who returned to their '60s roots -- psychedelia was the dominant genre.

"I couldn't be happier," smiled Ron. "I hope this promotes awareness not only of this marvelous program, but of the service SEPTA can provide with its extensive bus routes. America could take a lesson."

Today the Magic Bus program is one of the largest, ongoing community-based public art programs of its kind. It is truly a unique folk art collection with a wide variety of styles and themes.

Posted by Webmaster at July 7, 2000 06:55 PM

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