When it comes to being a college student, life can be pretty stressful. There are classes, tests, internships, jobs, social clubs and a social life to worry about. On top of that, we also have to worry about getting to these places. Sure there are friends and Ubers that you can call on to give you a ride somewhere if you don’t have your own car, but what if your bank account is low and your friends are busy? What do you do then? Well, don’t worry about finding a solution because I’ve already done that part for you.

Ride Connect Transit!

Connect Transit is Bloomington-Normal’s public transportation system that can take you anywhere you need to go within the area! If you’re a student at Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan, or Heartland, all it takes is the swipe of an ID card and you’re good to go. Community riders will have to pay a fee of $1. Now, I know taking public transportation might not be ideal. Trust me. If it were up to me, I would have my own car by now, but in all honesty, taking public transportation has changed my life.

Even figuring out the bus system has saved my life. After downloading the Connect Transit app and getting the hang of the routes, everything else was a piece of cake. I transferred to Illinois State knowing nothing about the area, the people, and especially nothing about the public transportation here. Using the connect transit app helped me learn more.

My first day riding with Connect Transit was one to remember. I was definitely intimidated, but after greeting the bus driver and swiping my card, I knew I could handle it. Everything was so much easier than I thought, and the ride didn’t last too long either! All it took was one simple pull of the cord against the window to take me where I needed to be. Getting to my destination wasn’t the hardest part. It was the getting back part that I really struggled with.

After the daily twenty minute walks from campus to my house, I had finally had enough. I knew there was a way for me to get back if I figured it out with Connect Transit. One day, I decided to figure everything out. After finding the opposite route and speaking with the bus driver, I knew I was in the right place to get home.

Riding the bus is only as scary as you make it. Have some confidence in yourself, take the bull by the horns and take an adventure with Connect Transit by mapping out your day. With the touch of a button, you can map out your destinations and ride with Connect Transit to take you where you want to go. So say goodbye to Ubers and carpooling and say hello to Connect Transit where riding is simple!