Happy Transit Worker Appreciation Day from Stanford’s Tiniest Traveler
Neha Nandwani and Rama Goluguri, along with their adorable three-year-old daughter, make each commute to campus a “micro-adventure.” The trio walks (stroller in tow) from their home to the San Mateo Caltrain station three days a week. Using their “awesome” free Stanford-issued GoPasses, they ride the train to Palo Alto, then hop on the Marguerite shuttle to reach three campus destinations – main campus, Porter Drive, and preschool. “It’s sustainable and gets us moving,” said Rama, a basic life research scientist for Stanford’s Biochemistry department.
Her previous preschool was only five minutes from home, so the new, longer commute has been an adjustment. “Bay Area traffic with an impatient toddler is brutal, so Caltrain and the Marguerite save the day. She gets to run around [between modes] and not be stuck in her car seat,” added Neha, a molecular pharmacologist with Stanford’s Innovative Medicines Accelerator.
The parents have jokingly designated their daughter as the family’s most “opinionated commuter,” noting she observes and questions fellow passengers' behavior, including early-morning makeup routines. “She wants to know ‘what’s happening,’” said Neha with a laugh. Neha adds that her daughter is already learning a lot before she even gets to preschool. She knows some of the stops’ names, that she lives in San Mateo, and has to get down to Palo Alto, and has become proficient at button pushing. “We have to hold her or she’ll want to try and stop [the shuttle] at every stop,” said Neha with a laugh.
The family cherishes their sweet time together. “Commuting together becomes easy 'us’ time,” said Rama. “Podcasts, people-watching, a few extra steps, and a small ritual that keeps us connected before the day gets busy.”
And when they reunite at the end of the day for their reverse commute? Stanford’s tiniest but mightiest transit rider always asks “Mamma” and Dad, “How was your day?”
Most Caltrain passengers are drained, but mom notes that her daughter has the most energy of any rider and entertains others by belting out her favorite songs. “The contrast is hilariously stark,” said Neha.
