Welcome to a weekly segment called "Social Circle." It's OnMilwaukee.com's first article that's truly a group effort between readers, social networkers and the OnMilwaukee.com editors.

Every Monday, we ask a question via Facebook and Twitter and then post the responses from our Facebook "likers" and Twitter followers in the Thursday column. Well-known Milwaukee movers and shakers will contribute, too.

This week's Social Circle question asked the question, "When was the last time you rode the bus and how was the experience?" The question received lots of responses that ranged from "relaxing" to "smells like poverty."

Indeed, Milwaukeeans are divided on the issue of public transportation, but for the most part, at least based on the feedback provided for this column, it seems that people are glad to have the option even if they don't want to ride it on a day-to-day basis. How about you? Like the bus? Hate the bus? Weigh in via our Talkback feature.

Ashley Altadonna: "I rode it yesterday to work. Though the first bus drove right past the stop as I waved my arms and yelled for it to wait."

Aaron Berth: "I take the No. 57 to work at least three times a week. A great relaxing start to my day."

Anthony Bosetti: "I am on the bus just about every day. That's because I drive the bus. For 11 years now."

Mollie Boutell Butler: "I ride the bus frequently. I last used it to take my son to the doctor. This trip was fine, but I often find the buses are crowded, with people standing squished together. Ten years of cuts to the system means longer waits and crowded buses. But nobody uses public transportation, right? That said, I love the bus."

Jenni Buehler: "I took a flyer back to Hales Corners from Summerfest at closing time about 10 years ago. Not an exemplary experience on which to judge. I will say this, we moved at full freeway speed and for that I was grateful."

Geoff Carter: "I went to Bayshore."

Traci Dunaway: "Summerfest 2010: it was the preferred way to get there."

Becky Hollman: "About two weeks ago. It was a very pleasant ride except for the driver gunning it between stops."

Betsy Holmes: "Love the 15. Have ridden it most of my life. I've made great 'bus buddy' friends and think Steve (big guy, blonde ponytail) is the BEST bus driver of all time. He should train each and every MCTS driver."

Walter Holstad: "The bus takes forever. It should be free it's so slow. They should pay me to ride the bus."

Holly Jefferson: "Certain routes have better reputations than others."

Shelby Keefe: "Both my boys take the bus to where ever they need to go. It works because we are in Bay View and don't usually go north of Downtown, or south / west of Leon's custard."

Paul Kennedy: "Because of my alcohol intake I took advantage of the free ride on New Years Day. Regrettably for my driver I chose to 'ride' on the roof."

Tammy Kolbe: "Just the Summerfest shuttle. Pretty much how I remembered it from high school."

Dan Krass: "Every day. The 44 and 30 to work. And I use the  No. 18 for my grocery shopping."

Jamie Kroening: "Usually take Miller Park bus from Downtown. Recently took No.18 from the V.A. Hospital down National Avenue to get to Third Ward. It was OK, but took a cab back to hotel."

Kyla Lahaie: "I rode the bus home from jury duty. People complain about not having juror parking, but the bus is so much better than walking down to the old creepy lots under the freeway they used to use. It's easy and just as quick as driving."

Maud LaMarche: "Eighteen years ago, just before I moved out of Milwaukee. I rode the No. 15 at least a couple days a week. Now that I am here in Stevens Point, where everything is very bike-able, I last took the bus last winter in nasty weather."

Adam Levin: "Ten years ago. It took an hour from Riverwest to State Fair."

Denise Lubotsky: "Milwaukee has a lot to learn about transit from other cities. That said, it is still better than nothing. Last time I rode the bus was a couple of months ago when my car was getting repaired."

Mark Maker: "Smells like poverty."

Ted Perry: "Three days ago. No. 15 bus. It was great. I wish it went right to work – I'd take it."

Erich Roeseler: "I ride once per year to Summerfest. it was fine."

Jen Skladanek: "I think it was a few weeks ago when it was raining and I didn't feel like riding my bike. The ride was fine, as per usual. The bus is my ride!"

Keith Stone: "Pretty much every day. Owning a car is too expensive for a college student, so I ride the bus to get to work, school, Brewer games, shopping, pretty much everything."

Becky Tesch: "I got a flat tire biking this winter and put my bike and myself on a bus. It was great to have that safety net for winter biking. The bus ride itself was quiet, no one was talking. Just a quiet winter evening bus ride. The driver was sympathetic about my flat, and the whole thing was easy and nice."

Monica Thomas: "Rode home from exams at UWM. Then my bus pass expired. Waiting for the new semester to start for more free rides."

Timothy Twaddle: "I take it every now and then, mostly when my car is broken. I would say this summer sometime. I like riding it. If I didn't need my car for my job, I would be willing to ride it every day. Our transit system needs support, but I also understand that there are some shady, money-wasting things that go on in the system."

Scott Walter: "Last June, to go to PrideFest. It was bus ride At least they turned off those execrable video screens."

Carolyn Weber: "I buy a pack of bus tickets for those times I need a bus to make a bike trip shorter and for flats. Every time, the bus driver is helpful and friendly. I would take the bus more, but it's quicker to ride due to the cuts causing bus times to be longer and less frequent."

Autumn Whitlow: "I took my kids for a bus ride when they were about 3 (they're 11 now), just for fun."