The Bus (Ridge: neighborhood, to live in, buses)

[LadyR1990]

I have begun taking the bus to and from work. Over all I feel like it's an improvement on my commute. I don't go far, just far enough for it to be a "too long" walk.

However, there is never anyone on the bus. On a busy day there are maybe 20 people. Same people every day too.

Why do people not take the bus? is it because it's slower?

[mc33433]

I know a few people that take the bus. It depends on what transportation works for you. I don't take a bus because I am coming from Queens, and it is far easier to take the E train to work. However within Queens, along Queens Blvd, I often take the bus.

[availableusername]

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[TurtleCreek80]

I L-O-V-E-D the bus when I lived in the city! People at work thought I was crazy, but on the bus you almost always get a seat, you can watch the world go by or read, and it's always cleaner and more climate controlled than the subway! By the time I figured in walking to & from the 6 train, it honestly took about the same time or a bit less to take the bus practically door to door.

[NooYowkur81]

You answered your own question. Basically buses are ideal for trips that are just on that border where it would be too long walking. They are too slow and get too jammed up with people making their way in and paying.

[LadyR1990]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

I L-O-V-E-D the bus when I lived in the city! People at work thought I was crazy, but on the bus you almost always get a seat, you can watch the world go by or read, and it's always cleaner and more climate controlled than the subway! By the time I figured in walking to & from the 6 train, it honestly took about the same time or a bit less to take the bus practically door to door.

Not only do I always get a seat, but I actually get to pick a seat! Its a lot smoother ride too. Seems better maintained also.

[Searching4ARainbow]

I hardly ever take the bus in Manhattan. Too much traffic, too slow.

However, I live in Queens where taking the bus is a necessity. A lot of places that I go are not along my train line (especially within Queens), so I take the bus all the time. In my neighborhood, the bus is almost always crowded. I actually prefer the subway because my stop is at the beginning of the line so I always get a seat.

[DoomDan515]

I like taking buses that a lot of pople don't often take, since they're faster, such as the Q21 or Q76 in Queens.

However, the bus near me [The Q55] is often packed and slow, and doesn't come on time, so I usually walk. When I use to live in Ridgewood, I had the Q58 by me. God, That bus sucked.

[Fred314X]

Originally Posted by ohiogirl22

However, there is never anyone on the bus. On a busy day there are maybe 20 people. Same people every day too.

Why do people not take the bus? is it because it's slower?

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by "there is never anyone on the bus." There are always plenty of people on the buses running through my neighborhood (in fact, there are so many people that I often wonder why there aren't more buses running!) So I guess my question to you is: which route are you talking about?

Incidentally, if I can find an excuse to ride the bus rather than the train, I'll often do that. I always think of buses as providers of free tours of the city. Yeah, you have to have some knowledge of what you're seeing as you roll by--but it strikes me as another missed opportunity by MTA. Buses should be promoted better than they are!

[Mr. Zero]

Have bus operations improved? I haven't taken one in awhile, but I used to take the Q60 somewhat regularly (back when it was still Green Bus Lines). More often than not, the wait would be over 30 minutes, and then when the bus finally came there would be three of them at the same time.