How to Use Public Transportation

Let us take you on a high-speed chase to demystify the use of public transportation.

Bus audio: Pedaling Prince
Tire screech 1 audio: audible-edge

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sources/resources

[MangaCEI]

I had a co-worker who had never ridden the bus before who needed advice. I told her to keep to herself. She’s very talkative (easy to irritate people). She didn’t listen and got yelled at by a guy who was in the middle of a drug deal because she wouldn’t look away and keep to herself.

[MrsMagma]

Former bus driver here. Make sure you enter the door you're supposed to enter at (usually the front) and exit through the door you're supposed to exit through (usually the back). I drove for a campus bus system that didn't have a fee, but if passengers entered through the back doors they wouldn't get counted and accurate counts are important for justifying funding. Also, it's just not cool to cut the line by going in the back door and it messes with the flow of people entering and exiting.

Other tips:
-Move to the back of the bus right away if there are a lot of people getting on. You'll get where you'll need to be faster and it will probably be less crowded in the back.
-Take off your backpack and hold it in front of you if it's crowded. More people can fit and you'll avoid smacking someone in the face with your bag.
-Bus driver's can't just stop wherever. Most buses are GPS tracked, so dispatch will know and the driver may get in trouble.
-Someone has to clean up the mess you make. Please don't throw your stuff on the floor and if you feel sick go ahead and hold the garbage can.
-Bus driving can be lonely. Feel free to be friendly with the driver, but don't be creepy about it and take the hint if they really need to focus.
-It's better for the bus to go up on a curb than to rub the sidewall of the tire on the curb, so in some instances the driver may make a judgement call and curb it.

[brogicus]

I'd recommend having google maps open on buses so you actually know where you are and how long before you're getting off.

[ojiverdeconfleco]

-Research were you can buy tickets or recharge your card (most central stations, but some kiosks too!)
-When going into a train, please step aside the door and let people get off before you get on.
-Use. Deodorant. For the love of all things holy, try to smell neutral.
-Buses here (Argentina) don't have cords but do have a button that you press to indicate you get off at the next stop.
-Google Maps is your friend.

[welp]

I have really, really horribly severe social anxiety, so sometimes doing things as simple as going out and riding the bus really stresses me out. I usually walk everywhere, but I've got a few job interviews lined up for this week, and they're about 4-5 miles away. I could probably walk that distance, but imagine doing that every single day? I don't drive yet (driving anxiety too), so relying on the bus is a must rn. thank you for the video, it's very informative!

[JennieFuchsia]

WAIT UNTIL PASSENGERS EXIT BEFORE YOU ENTER THE TRAIN OR BUS. The driver or conductor is watching those of you waiting to board and if you shove your way onto a train and block passengers trying to get off, they may close the doors causing that person to miss their stop. Because of this, standing in the doorway of a train (rather than stepping aside to let passengers off) will get you shoved.

OFFER YOUR SEAT TO THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED. If all the seats on your vehicle are taken and/or you are sitting near the door, keep an eye out for folks who may be in pain or at risk of falling. Stand up and say “here is a seat” rather than asking “do you want a seat?” From a seated position.

Poles are an important tool for maintaining balance. Hold them with your hand. Don’t hug the pole or lean against it. Ideally one pole can help several passengers support themselves. When you use the whole pole and look at your phone with your headphones in someone may be struggling to find something to hold onto.

FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES REGULARLY RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSIT. MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT MAKING THEIR TRIP MORE DIFFICULT. MOVING THROUGH THE WORLD WITH AN UNCOOPERATIVE BODY IS MORE EXHAUSTING THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE IF YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED IT

[riss]

Be aware of elderly or disabled passengers! Usually transit systems have dedicated seats for them so don't sit in those, or if you are you should be ready to give up your seat if someone elderly or disabled comes by. Also if someone doesn't appear disabled and they are sitting in those seats, I would not hassle them about it as they could have a invisible disability.

[cheeseisgreat]

My favorite bit of advice that someone told me is to always "walk with a purpose, " even if you have no idea where you are going. It cuts down on the being accosted by strangers, and if you look like you need to be somewhere, people generally let you get to where you "need" to go. Then when you get to a natural stopping point like the opening in the station or out onto the street or into a park area, you can pop off to the side check where you are and where you need to go without being in the way of other travelers, and without being accosted by strangers. Keep in mind, this is mainly only for when you are getting off at the nearest stop to your destination, and have to navigate through a crowd of other travelers, not suggested for if you are randomly getting off at a stop and might need to get on another form of transit, determine that ahead of time.

[lourdesmontes]

Yep, being polite goes a long way. Most of the time, I have conversations that stem from small talk. (: I was a bit intimidated when I used public transportation for the first time. I remembered that I freaked out when I pulled the signal for my stop. I kept pulling thinking the bus driver didn't get it and a close passenger said someone pulled it before I did so they were already notified. Also, it has taught me how to balance standing up when there's not enough seats and to hold on tight when the bus turns.

[johnmarstonlives]

Make sure to listen to your music with your phone speakers maxed out, also give people dirty looks as they get on the bus

[MsLazyllama]

Growing up, I used a train all the time to get to NYC. It didn't occur to me until college that some people had never been on a train. My mother in law has never been on a train.

[craigspakowski]

I have gotten great help from bus drivers in strange cities just because I asked. In general they are pretty willing to help if you ask at the right time. In rush hour traffic is not the right time. I have gotten free rides when I was way lost in a strange city and asked for help.

[MissMarilynDarling]

RULE #0 MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE COUNTRY YOU ARE IN BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE FOR THE BUS STOP

[Houdini]

If at all possible, I highly recommend doing a test ride so you know what you're doing when you really need it.

[BeautifullyReckles]

This is so helpful! I never used public transit until I was in my early twenties and found it SO intimidating. If you traveling in Europe, CityMapper is the best. Always take a screenshot of your route in case the wifi goes out like when traveling on a subway.

[JamesScantlebury]

Shout out to all the amazing cities across the world with public transit.
I'm lucky to live in London, and I'm spoilt by the Tube.

[zilog]

This channel is fantastic for us sheltered autistic people that got out of the house very late that don't have a natural sense of these kinds of things and take things too literally and technically. This channel is a blessing. Thank you technology for both ruining my life saving it at the same time.

[SinuBronzwolf]

Super happy that I found Hank Green to explain buses. He's always been easy for me to pay attention to when explaining anything, not sure why, but maybe it is because we share first names. Don't know many Hanks'.

[cassiebecker]

My biggest tip: never go anywhere without your roommate bc she's deciphered the bus system

[leafgreen]

Yes, finally this video topic! I don’t use public transportation but have felt weary about it ever since I had to use it on a trip to New York and failed to navigate correctly even once. (Had to rely on my group)