Sometimes, it can be a challenge to get around anywhere if you don't have a car—trust me I know. I'm just a college student but the catch is that I don't even have my license yet which is a rarity among my group of friends. I know less than a handful of students my age who don't have a license or even a permit. The only option of being car-less and license-less for getting around is to politely ask a friend for a ride, take a taxi, Uber it, or the cheapest option of the three—ride the public bus.
Riding the bus may be a cheap alternative, but the thing is that it isn't always reliable 100% of the time. So for everyone who is able to have a car on campus and has the luxury to get up and go whenever they please, here is what it's like to depend on the public bus for everything that's beyond walking distance.
Planning your route:
Not everyone is able to waste time at the bus stop waiting. I have to plan my route beforehand and make sure that I allow myself enough time to do whatever I need to do and come back in a timely manner. I only spend about 20 to 30 minutes planning, but if I skipped this step, I could be waiting for the bus for a longer time.
Having patience:
Everything takes some amount of patience. Riding the bus takes a lot of patience for me. I have been lucky that I ride the bus when no one else is waiting with me because I'm sure the things I do to pass the time might drive someone else crazy. There are times when I'm willing to wait for a long time, but those times are few and far between.
When the bus isn't on time:
Even when I plan out my route, the bus very rarely comes on time, especially the bus going from campus to downtown. Common symptoms I experience when this happens is pacing, checking the time constantly, and looking out on the street to see if I can see the bus.
Having the fare ready:
As a student, I am lucky enough to get the regular fare reduced by half so I only pay 60 cents. While waiting, I continuously count and recount the change to avoid scrambling to find my wallet and pull out the change while on the bus. I have encountered some bus drivers who will wait for you to pay before starting to drive, but other times, I have had to hold onto the railing and put my change in the machine when the bus was in motion. I always wanted to be the person who had the fare ready and was able to smoothly put the change in the machine with ease, but it always takes concentration to make sure coins go in the slot.
Weather:
I have been outside waiting for the bus when it was raining and thundering. Never again. It was pouring rain and thundering like crazy and it didn't matter whether or not I had an umbrella, I was drenched. I had seen and heard a lightening strike that was only 30 feet away and it was so powerful that the whole bus structure shook a little.
Bus etiquette:
Once on the bus, I don't know whether it is appropriate to look around or keep to myself. I don't want to come off as unobservant, but I don't want to come off as noisy. This is especially problematic when riding alone, as you have no one else to chat with or keep you company. I split my time between looking out the window, looking at my phone and looking at the other people. I'm not an experienced bus rider, so I have to keep a map of where I'm going on my phone.
I had an adventure my first time I rode the public bus. I had planned the route there, but not back, so I managed to get on the wrong bus and rode it until I ended up at the airport and talked to the bus driver a bit too late. I've had a great time riding the bus and it proves to be my No.1 way to get around San Antonio if I need to go somewhere or get away for a quick escape.
