The people on the bus
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The people on the bus
Tell us about some of your unusual experiences on public transportation.
Surely, you meet a different subset of the general population there than in most other daily activities.
Do you encounter people with mental illnesses, or just general inability to play nice with others? Are they short on social graces, or hygiene, or...? Is it just the passengers, or do the drivers cause some of the unpleasantness?
Do these encounters discourage you from using public transportation?
Do you think such encounters (or the perception that they may occur) would discourage others from using or trying public transportation?
Is there anything that could or should be done to make it a better experience for current users, or to attract new users?
What other issues do you have with the system in your area? Pricing, routes, schedules, other?
Surely, you meet a different subset of the general population there than in most other daily activities.
Do you encounter people with mental illnesses, or just general inability to play nice with others? Are they short on social graces, or hygiene, or...? Is it just the passengers, or do the drivers cause some of the unpleasantness?
Do these encounters discourage you from using public transportation?
Do you think such encounters (or the perception that they may occur) would discourage others from using or trying public transportation?
Is there anything that could or should be done to make it a better experience for current users, or to attract new users?
What other issues do you have with the system in your area? Pricing, routes, schedules, other?
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On my bus to and from work, there are ...
-- mostly other people going to and from work, like me. Dressed in office attire.
-- a few students, either uni students or high school/college students. The high school/college students are, of course, dressed in uniform.
-- a handful of elderly ladies, and the occasional elderly gentleman, going into town for things like shopping and visiting the Dr. They might be on once a week or so.
-- once in a while there might be a small group of tourists, all excited about a day's sightseeing.
That's pretty much it.
-- mostly other people going to and from work, like me. Dressed in office attire.
-- a few students, either uni students or high school/college students. The high school/college students are, of course, dressed in uniform.
-- a handful of elderly ladies, and the occasional elderly gentleman, going into town for things like shopping and visiting the Dr. They might be on once a week or so.
-- once in a while there might be a small group of tourists, all excited about a day's sightseeing.
That's pretty much it.
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I have some good ones, my work is in the seedier part of the city and so the train through there draws in some colourful folks. In the winter, I always take friday off from riding in, and take the train (which I usually end up regretting). One night I moved to the front of the train, wearing my blue tooth headset that I bought for cycling underneath my touque (so they couldn't be seen). This "fellow" walks up from the seat he was sitting at and sits in the one directly behind me. I am sitting sideways across the bench so I can see him out of the corner of my eye. He is having a full conversation at this point, so finally I pull back my touque and slide my earbud out in a very visible display to say:
me: 'hey man, I can't hear a word you're saying'
him: 'how did you know my name?'
me: 'uhm...I don't know your name?"
him: 'you're here to end me aren't you?'
me: 'dude, I have no clue what you're talking about'
him: 'well, do what you've come to do then!'
(put my headphones back on as he starts rambling again)
now he stands up from the seat and walks over to mine, directly standing over me and facing me. I pull my headphones back off
me: 'what's up man?'
him: 'tell me how you knew my name.'
me: 'I don't know your name...'
him: 'now you're playing tricks with me.'
me: 'I think your mind is playing tricks with you friend.'
now he pauses, thinks for a moment and looks back at me with a smile:
him: 'I think you're right!'
he walks back to the end of the train and sits down. I have a lot of encounters like this going through that area. Witness a lot of fights break out. One guy smashed a beer bottle at some other guys just a couple months back, then walked up and down the train car threatening everyone and telling us that he 'owned the train and everthing and everyone on it'. Also a lot of self proclaimed 'singers' giving free shows.
the things I've seen on that train...
me: 'hey man, I can't hear a word you're saying'
him: 'how did you know my name?'
me: 'uhm...I don't know your name?"
him: 'you're here to end me aren't you?'
me: 'dude, I have no clue what you're talking about'
him: 'well, do what you've come to do then!'
(put my headphones back on as he starts rambling again)
now he stands up from the seat and walks over to mine, directly standing over me and facing me. I pull my headphones back off
me: 'what's up man?'
him: 'tell me how you knew my name.'
me: 'I don't know your name...'
him: 'now you're playing tricks with me.'
me: 'I think your mind is playing tricks with you friend.'
now he pauses, thinks for a moment and looks back at me with a smile:
him: 'I think you're right!'
he walks back to the end of the train and sits down. I have a lot of encounters like this going through that area. Witness a lot of fights break out. One guy smashed a beer bottle at some other guys just a couple months back, then walked up and down the train car threatening everyone and telling us that he 'owned the train and everthing and everyone on it'. Also a lot of self proclaimed 'singers' giving free shows.
the things I've seen on that train...
#4
Sophomoric Member
Same people I see in th grocery store, the mall, or any other public space. Some of them never went to finishing school or modeling classes. So what?
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#5
Prefers Cicero
Surely, you meet a different subset of the general population there than in most other daily activities.
Do you encounter people with mental illnesses, or just general inability to play nice with others? Are they short on social graces, or hygiene, or...? Is it just the passengers, or do the drivers cause some of the unpleasantness?
Is there anything that could or should be done to make it a better experience for current users, or to attract new users?
What other issues do you have with the system in your area? Pricing, routes, schedules, other?
Do you encounter people with mental illnesses, or just general inability to play nice with others? Are they short on social graces, or hygiene, or...? Is it just the passengers, or do the drivers cause some of the unpleasantness?
Is there anything that could or should be done to make it a better experience for current users, or to attract new users?
What other issues do you have with the system in your area? Pricing, routes, schedules, other?
#7
Sophomoric Member
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Most people on the bus are fine folks. Very helpful and friendly. There are usually at least two or three good conversations going on. Arkansans are outgoing. Of course there is a variety of people, one fellow is always in his Razorback clothing, another wears white dress shirt and slacks and seems to work in the financial industry, I've seen him helping the kids from the eStem school with their homework. There's a fat guy who seems to have some variation of Tourettes. He doesn't swear but he makes noises. But he's very intelligent. He's figured out some shortcuts and transfers that are not in the schedules faster than I did.
The buses in general aren't crowded, but I wish they ran earlier, later, and more on Sundays. Most of the drivers are great and very cooperative with me loading my bike. I've only met one who was having a bad day.
The buses in general aren't crowded, but I wish they ran earlier, later, and more on Sundays. Most of the drivers are great and very cooperative with me loading my bike. I've only met one who was having a bad day.
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Last edited by Artkansas; 07-17-15 at 01:32 PM.
#10
Sophomoric Member
Most people on the bus are fine folks. Very helpful and friendly. There are usually at least two or three good conversations going on. Arkansans are outgoing. Of course there is a variety of people, one fellow is always in his Razorback clothing, another wears white dress shirt and slacks and seems to work in the financial industry, I've seen him helping the kids from the eStem school with their homework. There's a fat guy who seems to have some variation of Tourettes. He doesn't swear but he makes noises. But he's very intelligent. He's figured out some shortcuts and transfers that are not in the schedules faster than I did.
The buses in general aren't crowded, but I wish they ran earlier, later, and more on Sundays. Most of the drivers are great and very cooperative with me loading my bike. I've only met one who was having a bad day.
The buses in general aren't crowded, but I wish they ran earlier, later, and more on Sundays. Most of the drivers are great and very cooperative with me loading my bike. I've only met one who was having a bad day.
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"Think Outside the Cage"
Last edited by Roody; 07-17-15 at 02:38 PM.
#11
Sophomoric Member
I've posted this before, but I've got to say it again. The first time I ever took my grandson on a bus, he was about eight years old. Right after we finally got the fares paid, he stood at the front of the bus and said in a fairly loud voice: "Hi everybody. I'm Brandon and this is the first time I ever rode on a city bus." There was a chorus of "Hi Brandon" and then followed a number of friendly introductions and suggestions for using the bus and getting around town. He's 16 now and still likes the bus, and he's still a great guy.
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"Think Outside the Cage"
#12
Sophomoric Member
If you want to talk, two good ice breakers are:
If you don't want to talk you can read, text, or even look out the window. Almost everybody will respect this.
--"I really like your (hat, Tshirt, tattoo, jewelry). What can you tell me about it?"
--"What high school did you go to? What was it like when you were there?"
I find that the first question usually works with young people and the second gets older people talking.--"What high school did you go to? What was it like when you were there?"
If you don't want to talk you can read, text, or even look out the window. Almost everybody will respect this.
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#13
Senior Member
I used to commute by public transport.
This roughly the route I did each day, and back in the afternoon.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-...310621!3e3!5i1
I note they've either changed the timetables or Google missed an earlier connection, as I used to catch the bus at just after 5AM, and arrive at Laidley at 7:30AM. In the afternoon, I left at 4:30PM and arrived home at around 7PM.
In the mornings, it was mostly tradies that I saw, and most were half asleep, as was I at that time of the morning. So not much discussion took place. If there was any chit chat, it was with the bus driver on the last leg of the journey, as I was frequently the only passenger on the bus.
In the afternoons, I frequently chatted with the driver (again, I was often one of the only passengers), sometimes I spoke to people on the train, sometimes I spoke to people on the radio, sometimes I listened to music. There were a few regular commuters that I got to know a bit, and so we'd have regular discussions. You got people that were a little bit mentally off-balance too, as well as some adolescents that believed they owned all and knew all.
That said, I'm glad my public transport commuting days are over. Getting a bicycle and getting back into cycling was one of my best lifestyle decisions. Yes I miss some of the social interaction, but then again, I've spent an entire day interacting with people, and in my case, I have the radio, I can talk to people there or hit the power button for a bit of solitude. Here's hoping I never have to return to public transport commuting any time soon.
This roughly the route I did each day, and back in the afternoon.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-...310621!3e3!5i1
I note they've either changed the timetables or Google missed an earlier connection, as I used to catch the bus at just after 5AM, and arrive at Laidley at 7:30AM. In the afternoon, I left at 4:30PM and arrived home at around 7PM.
In the mornings, it was mostly tradies that I saw, and most were half asleep, as was I at that time of the morning. So not much discussion took place. If there was any chit chat, it was with the bus driver on the last leg of the journey, as I was frequently the only passenger on the bus.
In the afternoons, I frequently chatted with the driver (again, I was often one of the only passengers), sometimes I spoke to people on the train, sometimes I spoke to people on the radio, sometimes I listened to music. There were a few regular commuters that I got to know a bit, and so we'd have regular discussions. You got people that were a little bit mentally off-balance too, as well as some adolescents that believed they owned all and knew all.
That said, I'm glad my public transport commuting days are over. Getting a bicycle and getting back into cycling was one of my best lifestyle decisions. Yes I miss some of the social interaction, but then again, I've spent an entire day interacting with people, and in my case, I have the radio, I can talk to people there or hit the power button for a bit of solitude. Here's hoping I never have to return to public transport commuting any time soon.
#14
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My experience is quite different from what has been noted so far. I live in the suburbs, so the people I encounter every day are not the same ones I see on the bus. There are lots of good people on the bus, and I enjoy interacting with them. The people going to work or the V.A. are generally fine.
However, on my route there is also the justice center and the public health center, and some of those folks lack basic skills to get along in society. There are lots of loud cell talkers, f-bombs dropping, conversations about jail time and parole officers, disability claims and soup kitchens. This is way outside my normal circle, which would still be ok if the conversations were civil and there was respect for others. Last Saturday, a homeless guy had some serious hygiene issues, and some teenage girls were spraying air freshener all around him. I felt bad for the guy, and thought the girls were rather heartless to do this. Wherever you lay the blame, it did not result in a pleasant trip.
I'm also not a big fan of our system. I think they do a poor job routing and scheduling (like stops on the hour despite variations in traffic throughout the day that would imply the need to vary the stop times!). I have to take 3 buses for a 12 mile trip, with two chances each way to be left at the transfer point (during rush hour, it's a 50/50 shot to make the next bus; in the middle of the day, they wait 5 or 6 minutes at the transfer point).
I get along alright, and sometimes have fun on the bus. However, I am rather certain that if I ever talked my mom into taking that trip it would be a one-time affair. I'm thinking there is a large element of people like her, who would go to great lengths to avoid hanging with that crowd. I don't think they're game to give up their cars, anyway. But, if this is the alternative, there might be added resistance.
However, on my route there is also the justice center and the public health center, and some of those folks lack basic skills to get along in society. There are lots of loud cell talkers, f-bombs dropping, conversations about jail time and parole officers, disability claims and soup kitchens. This is way outside my normal circle, which would still be ok if the conversations were civil and there was respect for others. Last Saturday, a homeless guy had some serious hygiene issues, and some teenage girls were spraying air freshener all around him. I felt bad for the guy, and thought the girls were rather heartless to do this. Wherever you lay the blame, it did not result in a pleasant trip.
I'm also not a big fan of our system. I think they do a poor job routing and scheduling (like stops on the hour despite variations in traffic throughout the day that would imply the need to vary the stop times!). I have to take 3 buses for a 12 mile trip, with two chances each way to be left at the transfer point (during rush hour, it's a 50/50 shot to make the next bus; in the middle of the day, they wait 5 or 6 minutes at the transfer point).
I get along alright, and sometimes have fun on the bus. However, I am rather certain that if I ever talked my mom into taking that trip it would be a one-time affair. I'm thinking there is a large element of people like her, who would go to great lengths to avoid hanging with that crowd. I don't think they're game to give up their cars, anyway. But, if this is the alternative, there might be added resistance.
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#16
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Most people on the bus are fine folks. Very helpful and friendly. There are usually at least two or three good conversations going on. Arkansans are outgoing. Of course there is a variety of people, one fellow is always in his Razorback clothing, another wears white dress shirt and slacks and seems to work in the financial industry, I've seen him helping the kids from the eStem school with their homework. There's a fat guy who seems to have some variation of Tourettes. He doesn't swear but he makes noises. But he's very intelligent. He's figured out some shortcuts and transfers that are not in the schedules faster than I did.
The buses in general aren't crowded, but I wish they ran earlier, later, and more on Sundays. Most of the drivers are great and very cooperative with me loading my bike. I've only met one who was having a bad day.
The buses in general aren't crowded, but I wish they ran earlier, later, and more on Sundays. Most of the drivers are great and very cooperative with me loading my bike. I've only met one who was having a bad day.
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I thought the guy reading the newspaper was a little suspicious. No one reads a paper on my route. It's strictly cell phone or a book.
#18
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Besides, in the unlikely event of a collision, it at least is some protection.
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I have ridden the bus most on my life and only obtained a DL in 2000.
There use to be this guy I had on a regular route who would yell shut up. When a baby started to cry. Like parents have control over it.
The people on the bus who occupy the seats for people with disabilities. Many people these days have invisible disabilities which makes it a confrontation to just to sit down.
There use to be this guy I had on a regular route who would yell shut up. When a baby started to cry. Like parents have control over it.
The people on the bus who occupy the seats for people with disabilities. Many people these days have invisible disabilities which makes it a confrontation to just to sit down.
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It's no more awkward then shopping bags and backpacks. It's better to hang the helmet on the bike after putting the bike on the bus rack.
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That's an awesome photo. It shows how most of the passengers are involved in conversations, but three guys look happy to just read their papers or look at a mobile device. That's the way it is here in Michigan also. Sometimes the atmosphere on a bus is so lovely that it just makes me smile.
I'm in the 5% reading a book.
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#23
Senior Member
That is, if the bus has a rack on the front of it. Brisbane Transport did try that for a little while, it was on a few select routes, none of which went near my area so I never got to try it out. They've since abandoned that idea (a shame).
If I was commuting on one of the Brisbane buses with my fold-up, it went on the bus with me. I'd stow it in the luggage area and stand beside it. I had a backpack to deal with as well. Quite often, it was simply less hassle to leave the helmet (an open-face motorcycle helmet) on my head. I then had both hands with which to hang on with.
That was back in the days when they permitted such things on buses, they now no longer permit bicycles because of a "safety thing" (that's the exact words a Translink representative used when explaining this to me over the phone).
With the Lockyer Valley buses that ran between Rosewood and Laidley, they were full-size coaches, and so you put the bike in the luggage compartment underneath then sat in the bus itself. Leaving the helmet on meant I could keep my bag (with a fragile laptop) on my lap when travelling, then just sling it over my shoulder as I got off. The drivers didn't have a problem with that.
#24
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That's an awesome photo. It shows how most of the passengers are involved in conversations, but three guys look happy to just read their papers or look at a mobile device. That's the way it is here in Michigan also. Sometimes the atmosphere on a bus is so lovely that it just makes me smile.
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#25
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Better to keep it on your head than forget it as you get off the bus.
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