We’re in Ybor City. Bus 12 is heading north through East Tampa and will end its route at the University Area Transit Center. Just a couple of riders are here, starting out from the Marion Street Transit center.

There are several stops along the way, winding through Ybor City to Nuccio Parkway and, eventually, north on 22nd Street.

Adriana Williams is sleepy-eyed. She’s heading home after working the night shift at Howard Johnson.

“Housekeeping,” she says.

At 8:45 a.m., the 18-year-old Belmont Heights resident is eager to get some rest.

She doesn’t take the bus to save money.

“I don’t know how to drive,” she says with a giggle. She takes the bus every day because that’s the only way she can get to and from work.

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