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With gas hitting more than $4 a gallon in several Valley cities, more downtown Phoenix commuters are taking the bus to work. 

But for many, riding the bus has been a way of life for years. In Phoenix and in other cities, some people have given up their cars altogether.

That includes an old friend of mine, Carla Saulter, a Seattle blogger who calls herself bus chick.

Carla and her husband don't own a car and get around almost exclusively by bus.

Valley Metro has several tips for new riders (especially during this time of year, take precautions to protect yourself from the Arizona heat, the agency says). But veteran riders have even more advice.

During a recent 7:22 a.m bus trip from an Ahwatukee Foothills park and ride to downtown Phoenix, experienced riders shared some pointers. 

They include:

1. Consider carrying a "bus bag" (with essentials such as reading material, bus schedules, water, etc.)

2. Have correct bus fare ready.

3. Wear comfortable shoes.

4. Don't engage in poor bus etiquette. (Carla calls them bus fouls ). That list includes people who hog two seats when they need only one, folks who talk loudly on their cell phone or riders who engage in torrid public displays of affection with their significant other.

Do you have any tips for new bus riders?

While management at Taser International Inc. decide their next move following their first court-room loss, its competitor is seizing on the opportunity to nab customers.

Tampa-based Stinger Systems Inc. put a press release this morning saying it will let law-enforcement agencies that currently use Taser's stun guns trade in the devices for its own stun guns.

On Friday, a jury in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, ordered Taser to pay $6.2 million in compensatory and punitive damages to the family of Robert C. Heston, who died in Salinas, Calif. in 2005 after being hit multiple times and shocked repeatedly with Tasers by Salinas police officers.

It is the first court-room loss for Taser, which has had 70 prior cases decided in its favor or dismissed. Some of those included cases where Taser has settled.

In its ruling, the jury said Taser failed to properly train police officers on how to use the devices and ignored research showing that prolonged exposure to the shocks could cause a condition resulting in death.

Taser, which a spokesman says will appeal the decision, said it does not feel the jury based its decision based on the medical evidence presented during the case.

Regardless, Stinger, which is being sued by Taser International for patent infringement, isn't wasting any time to use the ruling to its advantage.

"We felt we could give law enforcement agencies currently using Tasers a way to get their Taser products off the streets," Stinger CEO Ron Bellistri said in a written statement. He said research shows Stinger's devices place less current into a body than Taser products.

The company will let agencies trade devices by buying back Taser products and credit the price toward the purchase of Stinger devices.

Taser's stock hit a new 52-week low of $6 on Monday. Stinger's stock, with trades over the counter, got a little boost, closing up 10 cents at 65 cents yesterday.

Tom Simplot has been tapped to run the Arizona Multihousing Association, the trade group for the apartment and rental housing industry.

           Simplot is also on the Phoenix City council. He's had experience with housing trade and lobbying groups in the state before. In the mid-1990s, he was deputy director of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona.

At the Multihousing Association, he will oversell a 13-person staff and the groups government, education, finance and membership activities. 

            “I am thrilled to be taking the reins of this organization at such a pivotal time in our economy,” said Simplot in announcement about his new job. “and I look forward to serving the thousands of proud owners of rental properties throughout Arizona.”