The Newbies Bus Guide

Last fall when I first stepped on the bus I was SO nervous. It was something I had never done before and I had to go all by myself. I was so worried that I would get on the wrong bus, sit in the wrong seat, and somehow get yelled at by the driver. So I thought I'd share the things I learned that I wish I would've known before heading out that day. Maybe it'll help you have a more stress-free first bus experience!! :)

1. Try and look up ahead of time what your fare is (thats if you don't have the sweet school pass that I do :)) The bus driver can't give change and people will be annoyed if you're standing up there fiddling around with your nickels and dimes. Don't be like the ridiculous woman who only had a $100 bill on her! She got a laser beam look from the driver, I wish you could've seen it!

2. Oh, before you even got on the bus: when you're waiting there on the sidewalk and the bus pulls over, after the doors open, you should wait a few seconds before getting on and let the driver motion you on. Sometimes people will be getting off the bus through the front doors and need to get off before you board. This was one of the times I got yelled at by the driver...I am such a softy and don't deal well with people yelling :/

3. The front rows in the bus (the ones facing in towards each other and the first regular row) are reserved for senior citizens or any person with a disability. You can sit there if you really want to, but you might as well just head to the middle of the bus so you won't have to move later. For some reason if I ever sit in the front, I kind of feel stuck up or like I think I'm entitled to be up there, even though it's completely fine as long as someone else doesn't need it. But don't be that super rude person who's sitting up there zoning as the 135 year old woman shuffles past you. Don't doooo it!

4. In general, if there's a bunch of seats open most people would choose to sit next to an empty seat. But if the bus is filling up, don't be oblivious and leave your huge purse (I can say that because that's the only kind I own) or backpack taking up the seat because you're feeling anti-social :) In opposition, if the bus is empty, don't choose the seat RIGHT next to someone...they might be a little creeped out by you.

5. It's totally fine to make phone calls while on the bus, so if you choose to, be aware that the entire bus can most likely hear you. I've heard some ridiculous conversations, most that I didn't really want to hear! And the road noise can be super loud sometimes, it's not always the best place for phone calls, but ya can if you want!

6. One thing I was so nervous about was when the bus will stop. The bus will only pull over to the curb for a few reasons 1)someone has pulled the yellow cord that hangs horizontally around the perimeter of the bus 2) someone is waiting by the little sign on the side of the road for that bus # or 3) it is a stop where they have to stop and wait a few minutes (this will be posted in the bus schedule with an arriving and departing time from that one location). The first time I rode the bus I had just assumed that it would pull over at every single sign, but nope!!

7. A few things about pulling the golden cord of wonders :) hehe: be sure to pull it within enough time for the huge bus to slow down and pull over. The bus driver will get mad and most likely just drop you off at the next stop if you pull it too late! Also, if you accidentally pull the cord for the wrong stop, just tell the driver 'sorry, I meant the next one'. One time I saw a girl pull the cord and then didn't get off...the bus driver was mad when they pulled over for no reason and the girl looked really dumb when she pretended like it wasn't her that pulled it!

8. If you have a question about your stop or what bus goes where, feel free to ask other people on the bus. Some people know every single bus route and are happy to share their knowledge with you. For the most part, I've found my fellow bus people to be very friendly and helpful.

9. Always say 'thank you' to the driver. They put up with a lot of annoying poo ALL day and I like to think my 'hello's and 'thank you's might just make them feel a little appreciated.

10. Last but certainly NOT least: haha it makes me laugh thinking about this one. Ok, if you are getting off the bus through the back door: once the bus has stopped a little green light should turn on above the doors and that means they'll open. Now you just have to push the doors from the middle and they'll open outward. OK here's the important part!!! These doors will not stay open for long and they DO NOT have motion sensors! One day I was getting out and WHAM the doors closed right as I was walking through, ouuuuch. Definitely squished me like a bug, but I survived. Just hold them open as you walk through and you'll be fine :) The front doors stay open due to the driver so you don't have to worry about them.

Well, those are the main things I had to learn myself and I hope they'll make you feel more like a PBR! And by that I mean professional bus rider! hahaha

Bus or Bust!

I never rode the bus to school growing up. In a way I feel like I missed a pretty common part of the childhood experience. Because I didn't start young, I didn't have the experience of riding on public transportation until I was 21 years old.

To me the bus seemed like an inefficient, dirty, and a hassle as a way of transportation. In our individualistic society we want our space, music, and needs met at the speed of light. I had never given public transit a second thought until I started going to school 30+ miles away, totaling 60 extra miles a day on my speedometer and up to 240 miles a week. That was outstanding (in a very bad way) to me and I decided something had to change.

Once realizing that a 6 month bus pass was included in my tuition, for only $10 extra dollars, I started asking around to find out about bus times, stops, and friends' experiences with public transportation. I began taking the bus twice a week to school. At first I had to adjust to not being on my own time, having to wait (sometimes at not so safe or clean) bus stops, and figuring out the maze of routes on the map before me. After a few weeks of riding the bus, I began to feel more comfortable and began to really enjoy not having to drive to school. On top of saving $150, on the parking pass alone, I calculated I was saving more than $500 a SEMESTER on gas! That fact caused me to fall even deeper in love with my new wheels.

Having ridden the bus for the past year, I have found that the bus is no more confusing, dirty or inefficient. Between driving to school, parking and walking in, my commute is almost exactly the same. I greatly enjoy my mornings on the bus; it gives me time to catch a few more Zs, sip my coffee, and wake up for the day. The ride home provides a time to reflect on my day, people watch, and yet again take a sweet nap. I don't miss the stress of traffic, changing lanes, sharking for parking, and filling up at the gas tank every other day! By riding in a seat next to people of all races, ages and backgrounds I feel like I am actually experiencing the world around me as opposed to driving to and from school in my little Honda box listening to the latest pop music. On top of all of these things, I am never ceased to be entertained and amused by the community around me on the bus. I found that several times a week I would get home and have the funniest stories from the bus and I decided that I would share my experiences and humorous stories with those of you who already do ride the bus or are yet to be apart of the glorious world that is public transportation.

Many people rely on the bus everyday. Whether it's the sweet 80 year old lady going to the grocery store, the 91 year old man on his way to manage (yes he's STILL a manager) his apartment complex, the 40 something woman on her way to work, or the student studying on their way to Sac State, the bus is a reliable, eco-friendly, and inexpensive option for anyone who choses to use it. I am not obligated to ride the bus, but since I first stepped onto the Yolobus a year ago I have found that I enjoy it so much and encourage you to give it a try too!