Locals: 5 People We Met at the GoRaleigh Bus Station

In this photo series, we travel around the Triangle to meet new people. This month, photographer Bob Karp visited the GoRaleigh station in downtown Raleigh. 
Photography by Bob Karp

“I’ve been a bus operator for 14 years and I love what I do. It’s an interesting job—I enjoy meeting new people and just smiling. I’m originally from Holly Springs, but moved here in ‘82. I love the relaxing country life—I get a little bit of the fast pace in Raleigh, but it’s still country life.”
—Yasmin Ratliff of Raleigh, N.C.

“I’m visiting family who live by the PNC area. I lost my job and my car got repo’d, so hopefully the next time you see me, I won’t be on the bus! I put my bike on the front rack. My house isn’t on the bus line, that’s high property money.”
—Jason McCoy of New Bern, N.C.

“I’m riding the bus to NC Works. It’s easy and convenient, the bus runs every 15 minutes. I’m originally from New York but I’ve been in Greensboro since 2004, and now I live in Raleigh. I like that it’s calm.”
—Monique Brown of Greensboro, N.C.

“I came here to find a new life, I’ve only been here 14 days, I’m from Puerto Rico but lived in Florida before this. I like that North Carolina is different, I like the Southern style of life.”
—Valentine Ayala Torres of Raleigh, N.C.

“I’m an equestrian, I’m 72, I was born in 1946. I’m originally from New York, but the earth is my nutshell. We need more people who can be courageous enough to walk up and ask, what’s going onside, what’s happening in your life, where are you going? If you saw me about three weeks ago in my six-guns and spurs, the police were taking pictures of me.”
—Vinchenz Dillardo of Raleigh, N.C.

Bob Karp is an award-winning photojournalist who recently relocated to Raleigh. Find more of his work at bobkarpphotography.com.