2BNB: ‘We don’t judge you!’
The To the Bottom and Back bus was founded by Jim Porter. Porter has past experience with drunken drivers and started the organization to educate people on the dangers of it while also offering a service to the community.
The To the Bottom and Back bus runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Samantha Foster
Contributing Writer
A slightly inebriated member of a bachelorette party boards the bus, approaches the driver and exclaims, “You look like your name is Chocolate Thunder. Can I have a lap dance?”
It’s just another average night aboard the To the Bottom and Back bus.
The To the Bottom and Back bus was founded by Jim Porter. Porter has past experience with drunken drivers and started the organization to educate people on the dangers of it while also offering a service to the community.
To the Bottom and Back is a non-profit organization. Several local businesses sponsor the buses, but they are always looking for donations from their riders. “If everyone donated just $1, we could run 12 buses, no problem,” Nickel Teixeira, a volunteer for the organization, said. “$1 is a lot less than a cab, a DUI ticket or gas!”
Currently, the organization runs two of their four buses, three nights a week: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. The route follows Main Street until it hits Ellwood Thompson’s, turns back down Cary Street until it hits 25th street, then turns around and makes the loop again.
There are no designated stops; the bus will pick up or drop off anyone on Cary or Main streets. Going the entire route takes around 40 minutes.
Famously referred to as “the drunk bus” by Richmonders and college students alike, To the Bottom and Back Bus driver Lawrence Gentry said the organization prefers to refer to it as “the safety bus.”
Teixeira encourages potential riders not to be shy about using the service because of underage alcohol consumption. “No one should ever be afraid to use us because they are intoxicated or underage,” he said. “Our service is open to everyone; we are 100 percent independent, and we do not judge!”
But don’t get the idea that the bus is only for going to parties and clubs; students are encouraged to take the bus whenever they want.
“I think this is an awesome service,” said Martha Davis, a theater major at VCU. “There are some sketchy people on it, but there are also a lot of people (so you don’t feel unsafe). It’s also very casual to just hop on the bus. You don’t feel burdened like when you call the VCU escort service.”
The To the Bottom and Back bus boasts a message about hope, community and taking responsibility for the welfare of others, a sentiment that’s covertly conveyed in the bus’ name. Yes, it will literally take you to Shockoe Bottom and back to the Fan, but it also means that no matter how low a person falls, they can always come back stronger with the help of others.
“We know we’re making a difference,” Teixeira said. “Not just in saving lives, but in making people more aware.”
Photos by Amber-Lynn Taber
