As I began my first year at UCLA, I was a first timer to the bus system. During my first quarter I only rode it once, but as I began my winter quarter busing became a part of my daily life. At the start of my winter quarter I got a job at Urban Outfitters in Santa Monica. And considering I got a job to MAKE money, it didn't make sense to take a $30 uber ride to get to work. Thus began my experience with the Big Blue Bus as my daily transportation to work!

Here I’ll be sharing some advice from personal experiences to help you have a simple & enjoyable busing experience:

LA Transit Holds Two Main Buses: Big Blue Bus & Metro

1. Bring Change.

The fare for the Big Blue Bus is $1.25. No more, no less. DO NOT I repeat DO NOT make the mistake of putting a twenty-dollar bill in expecting to receive $18.75, because you will be very salty when you realize that you are not getting change back. The currency machine does not give back the remaining change so be prepared. The best advice I could give you is to be prepared with a few quarters so you wont overpay for a bus ride. Also, UCLA students receive a student discount lowering the fare to fifty cents for a ride!

2. Google Maps is your friend

The bus can be pretty confusing. Times may change and finding which bus route you need to take can get a little complicated. Luckily Google Maps is on your side! No I am not sponsored by Google, but trust me that Google Maps saves your life when taking the bus. Its easy as putting in your destination, choosing the bus option, and it provides you with bus schedules and departure times for each. That way you know exactly what time to get to the bus stop and it also tells you how much longer it'll take to get here. On top of that it even tells you the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) and how much your trip will cost. Honestly, if it weren't for Google Maps I would've been late everyday to work.

3. Sit in the Back

If I learned one thing from my busing experience it would be to sit in the back. Why? I’ll tell you! So it was first week of commuting, and the whole week I was sitting in the front and I noticed something. It was always something new, so many uncomfortable situations occurred at the front of the bus. My first bus ride to work I sat next to an old lady who was talking to herself the whole way to Santa Monica, on the way back I had my first experience with a legit crackhead. Lets just say…. don't do crack kids. Then, I witnessed a fight occur between two people right in front of me. But it's this last experience that haunts me til this day: the life-changing experience that taught me to sit in the back of the bus. I was on my way to work and sat in the second row, when death came aboard the bus soon after. This man sat right in front of me and, oh my god, it was the worst smell I have ever had to go through. This guy smelled like the worst possible case of BO (body odor) and urine I have ever encountered. I’m not lying when I say that I was seconds from throwing up. I covered my mouth with my shirt so that I could breathe, but I was five minutes into my ride and I just couldn't anymore. It was the most awkward moment because he stared at me, but I got up and I went as far as possible. Soon after I saw someone make the mistake of sitting next to him. Best believe I was praying for him. I saw the facial expressions of people towards the front and they all had a face of disgust as if they ate a bad sandwich. After this I realized, homeless people sit towards the front. Now, I don’t have anything against homeless people, I’ve had multiple conversations with homeless people on the bus, but when you are on a bus for half an hour, I don't think its enjoyable to sit next to someone who hasn’t showered in a couple days. If you are ever stuck in a similar predicament the most important thing is to be respectful. Don’t say rude remarks like “this person smells bad” because people have feelings and not everyone has equal access to personal care. Instead, politely stand up and move seats in the bus if you ever feel uncomfortable. All these situations that I encountered during my first week on the bus soon ended once I moved to the back of the bus. After that, my rides became much more peaceful.

4. Be Alert of Your Stop

The bus driver doesn't know where you are going, you do. Therefore, it is important to know beforehand which bus stop you are getting off at. The bus is really good at warning you of each stop, displaying the name of the street on a screen and announcing it over an automated speaker. Try to avoid blasting your earphones on the bus because it will cause you to miss your stop. One time I was so lost in my music that I missed the last stop, and ended up having to walk 30 minutes to my dorm! So be aware!

5. Sit Next to the Window!

After all it’s LA! The Big Blue Bus has routes that run through the best places like Downtown LA, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, and many other amazing spots. So grab seat next to a window and enjoy all the beautiful views of the city, beach, and sunsets along your route!