Bus

[futurebird]

All Rosa Parks ever wanted was a chance to ride on the bus like everyone else. The bus took protesters to Washington for numerous marches. The bus is the vehicle of everyman, but more specifically the poor and disenfranchised man. If you live in the US your local bus service is probably mostly for poor people and old people and especially old poor

Comments

[juicy_peach]

I took a bus a few times from MInneapolis to Milwaukee. It usually takes six hours by car. The bus took twelve hours. One of those times, I was cornered half of the ride by a drunk. Completely wasted on little bottles of booze. He was hitting on me and trying to get me to drink. There were no empty seats for me to escape to and I was way to shy to tell him to leave me the hell alone. Haven't taken the Greyhound since.

Buses really do suck. When I lived in Illinois, I often took a two hour bus ride to Chicago though. That wasn't so bad. Still, there were countless times where I just did not feel comfortable around the other patrons and then throw in a screaming baby....

I'm all for the environment, but it would take a lot for me to get back with buses.

[futurebird]

Sacrifice? I mean I take the train mostly because I can't stand the bus. And on the train they have those little tables so you can write... plug in your laptop... and the dining car... fabulous.

But when I get short on cash and the train seems expensive-- I know the bus will be the option. Try bringing someone with you, so you'll know who you're going to sit with.

And have a little compassion for the ragged members of the world... even as you keep you distance.

[juicy_peach]

I have yet to take a train. Something new I can try! You make it sound very nice.

And it's hard to feel bad for someone who is violating me. Sorry.

[futurebird]

I don't know I just feel sory for people like that. Might not even count as compassion. I didn't mean that guy in particular-- I was thinking more of the strange smelling man who sat next to me on the fung wa to boston....

[cannibalcountry]

When I lived in the city - I either biked or took the subway... (I lived in Philadelphia for about two years) - I totally miss having that option. But when you live in the country - public transportation isn't even an option. I live in Southern VT right now and work in NH (I live about 15 miles from my work - I'm planning on moving closer to work after the lease is up). In southern VT they have buses - FREE buses that people can take from town to town in VT... However - NH tore up all of the railroad tracks and they have no public transportation what so ever (unless you want to take greyhound - however, that is not economical for a short ride). It's really agrivating actually - because I would totally take public transportation. In the warmer months - I ride my bike as often as the weather permits and it's amazing. My bike ride home is just beautiful.

[nyecamden]

We have a great bus system in London, the Mayor is really keen on public transport in general. I love buses. I don't like them for long-distances though, and now that there is an online booking system for train tickets that makes booking in advance really cheap, I take the train when going intercity.

[dudeuhman]

i live in the suburbs, and the only people who ride the buses are the mentally handicapped, those too young to drive, Hispanics, and the elderly. i ride my bike to work, but i would prefer not to do so in the rain. if there were covered bus stops, and the buses ran at the the times when i got done with work (around 9pm - 1am), i would definitely take the bus.

[engagefriction]

I'm not harassed by other people when I'm in my car like I have been on the bus, plus I live in a rural area now which does not even have public transportation, and when I can I use my feet. My college town is walkable and many students avoid cars and the buses completely and walk the half an hour it takes to get to the mall instead.

So, what's the realistic viewpoint here? Idealism doesn't exactly change things.

[futurebird]

Why do you live in a rural area? Are you a farmer? (If you're from upstate NY let me know...)