Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
But be forewarned, if you decide, for the first time, to take the bus to work. What will your co-workers think? Yup! I've gotten lots of suspicious looks when I try to explain to them why I took the bus to work, on a particular night. I know what some are thinking: He got DUI and he lost his license! Or, he's having financial problems, can't afford to get his car fixed!
Even your neighbors, seeing you head out with your backpack to the bus stop may grow suspicious as well!
This is something varies very much from city to city. I grew up in Toledo, OH, and the bus was definitely only for poor people and maybe high school kids (or at least it was perceived that way); but here in Pittsburgh nobody gives you a second glance if you take the bus. Heck, a little more than half of all our downtown workers use public transit. Actually "on a bus/rail line" is a common thing to see in apartment ads and real estate listings, and it leads to increased prices and rents believe it not. It was definitely a bit of a culture shock to me when I first moved here.
The more suspicious, surprised looks come from the poorest of my co-workers, mainly the immigrants from Mexico and the Philippines. These are the types who, in their native countries, had no choice but to ride the bus, and now that they've achieved the "American Dream" of owning a car, if they have to eat Ramen noodles everyday, if that's what it takes to keep a car, repaired and running, so be it!
When I try to encourage this crowd to try taking the bus to work, some time, there's no way they'd even consider it. For this crowd, if they did take the bus, it would be too much of a blow to their image, which is understandable.
The more suspicious, surprised looks come from the poorest of my co-workers, mainly the immigrants from Mexico and the Philippines. These are the types who, in their native countries, had no choice but to ride the bus, and now that they've achieved the "American Dream" of owning a car, if they have to eat Ramen noodles everyday, if that's what it takes to keep a car, repaired and running, so be it!
When I try to encourage this crowd to try taking the bus to work, some time, there's no way they'd even consider it. For this crowd, if they did take the bus, it would be too much of a blow to their image, which is understandable.
I have no hang-ups about taking the bus, which I have done a few times over the years. I certainly don't mind rubbing elbows with working class people, and I don't know anyone who would look askance at me for having taken the bus.
The last time I rode a bus was about six or eight months ago, and it was for a lark, as you suggested in your other post. I had a lunch appointment in downtown Los Angeles and was testing out the line which passes near my house and goes without transfers to Walt Disney Concert Hall. My day-time ride was just fine, but I would hesitate to get on that line after dark for fear of possible thugs. I realize my concern may be unjustified, but right now I just don't want to find out the hard way. I would stick out like a sore thumb in my coat and tie coming out of a concert by the L.A. Phil or the L.A. Master Chorale.
My reaction to my latest ride was intermediate between the extremes you mentioned in your other post. I wasn't excited about it but I didn't hate it either.
I have posted previously about my absolute attachment to car ownership, but in my case at least that doesn't make me anti-transit. The more people who take transit, the fewer cars on the road. And I can easily understand that under the right circumstances, using transit to get to work may be just the ticket for many people. I'm glad it's working well for you.
I had a car but had to abandon because it became too expensive to fuel and maintain. I usually gross around 16,000 a year. Now that I got rid of my car I have a little more money to save.
Not too long ago, I was in Dallas, and being a light rail fanatic, I got a DART pass and rode very mile of Dallas's light rail system, including their commuter line to Ft. Worth. So when you say it's not practical to go car-less in Dallas, I'm a bit confused by this, and being I stayed in Richardson, walking distance to a light rail stop, I was surprised by the ridership, and type of people who used it, lots of business types.
The difference is going places you want to go versus "have" to go.
I live about 2 miles from the TRE in Richland Hills. I would love to use the train more, but unless where I'm going on the other end is close to the station, it's impossible. Yes, I go to downtown FW on the train a lot. I've taken the train to the state fair. But if I want to go to the airport, I'm out of luck because I'd have to transfer to a bus (with luggage?).
Last edited by ringwise; 02-05-2014 at 08:59 AM..
Reason: typo
I own a car but only drive it if my gf and I are going out into the far suburbs to visit parents, or if I want to buy something out in that area and I'm in a rush. 99% of my traveling is by electric bicycle. I don't like breathing polluted air and I don't want to be a hypocrite, and I'm frugal. But most of all, I just love being on 2 wheels. I get exercise, but never tired or bothered by the heat.
I wish there was a car restricted place to live that wasn't way up in almost Canada (Mackinac Island). I don't like the cold. The biggest downside to being on a bike is that some car drivers are blind, even to bright colors and huge headlights. Once I move in with my gf I will sell the car because we have no need for two.
I don't like public transit. Hate waiting. Love the freedom of my ebike. I can do 50 miles roundtrip in 2 hours. That's plenty.
I own a car but only drive it if my gf and I are going out into the far suburbs to visit parents, or if I want to buy something out in that area and I'm in a rush. 99% of my traveling is by electric bicycle. I don't like breathing polluted air and I don't want to be a hypocrite, and I'm frugal. But most of all, I just love being on 2 wheels. I get exercise, but never tired or bothered by the heat.
I wish there was a car restricted place to live that wasn't way up in almost Canada (Mackinac Island). I don't like the cold. The biggest downside to being on a bike is that some car drivers are blind, even to bright colors and huge headlights. Once I move in with my gf I will sell the car because we have no need for two.
I don't like public transit. Hate waiting. Love the freedom of my ebike. I can do 50 miles roundtrip in 2 hours. That's plenty.
What model e-bike do you have? How much did it cost? How much does maintenance run? Do you live in a hilly area?
Also, have you considered Catalina Island as a car-restricted place you might like? Certainly no Canadian weather down there!
Apart from having good amenities with bus travel in my area...I just cant afford a car.. Before my hubby took ill he was allowed his works car or van at weekends so we used that , but apart from getting him to and fro from hospitals we dont really require one.. A relative of mine though has two top of the range expensive cars for himself and his wife... it seems that where they live its the only types of cars sitting out front of the house..in the upmarket place where they live.. Isnt that a hell of an expense to impress the neighbours..
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The sociology of taking the bus
