Riding the bus

Mendoza and Nicole sprint to board a bus. Mendoza works in the garment district. Nicole goes to school in downtown L.A. They typically take eight or nine buses a day.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Carmen Mendoza and her daughter cross a street to catch another bus. Mendoza and her husband didn’t finish school in Mexico. Life will be different for their children.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Carmen Mendoza and her children Nicole and Andy wait for their first bus of the day at 5:50 a.m. in Bell Gardens. Mendoza sees advantages in traveling together.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Mendoza drops Nicole off at Para Los Ninos Middle School Charter in downtown L.A.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Carmen Mendoza arrives in the garment district after dropping her children off at school. She works for Groceries Apparel, where she sews shirts.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Carmen Mendoza arrives at work a bit late, but her employer understands her situation and doesn’t mind. Soon she’ll be promoted to a management position.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Carmen Mendoza walks her grandson, Daniel, 7, from his day care to pick up Nicole at school. The three then take a bus to get Nicole to dance class.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Nicole Mendoza, 11 , has taken dance classes at Everybody Dance for several years.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

The Mendozas are often tired at the start of their commute. The city’s rhythms are different from the bus.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Carmen Mendoza helps Daniel with his homework during Nicole’s dance class.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Carmen, Nicole and Daniel make a final dash toward home in Bell Gardens after taking eight buses to and from downtown L.A.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)