Oh the many feelings about PARTA. It is the most intense love-hate relationship we have ever encountered. We want to share with you our many emotions through American Horror Story. What could be more fitting?
Relying on the bus as a commuter:
If you don't have a car and you live off campus, you may rely too much on PARTA. It is part of your tuition so you would think it would be regulated better by the university, but we all know very well that isn't the case.
When someone sits down next to you and takes up a bit too much leg space:
It is always annoying when someone sits too close to you on the bus. Especially if there are plenty of seats open. Do they think it's a bonding experience? You are not going to make friends if you sit on people.
When the bus finally gets to your stop after waiting a half hour:
The thrill! The joy! The excitement! You may be 10 minutes late to class but at least you're going to get there now!
Walking onto an empty bus:
Riding alone can be cool. Sitting in your favorite seat. No one talking too loudly on their phones. No one trying to sit on you. However, if the bus driver seems a little shady, it can get a little weird.
Getting on a full bus:
They will pack us in like sardines. Maybe you're tired. Maybe you already walked a mile. Now you have to stand smushed between your peers. Pray that they all get off at the student center.
Night time riding:
Have a late class? Went out downtown with your friends? Last minute run to Walmart? Riding the bus at night can be particularly freaky. It's a bit too quiet and the lights make everything and everyone have a strange glow to them. It really is like being in a horror story.
"You should just walk":
Listen, we've done our time walking. But when you live off campus, it can be a hassle dragging your books everywhere and trying to run to class. The school offers PARTA as a service to its students. We should be able to use it whenever we want. WE PAY FOR IT!
When you miss the bus by seconds:
You could be running and flailing your arms, but that thing is still going to pull out and leave you behind. The devastation is real.
When you're about to leave and the bus pulls up:
You've picked up and started to move out, but here it comes around the corner with it's lights flashing. This would be great if you weren't already late for class. But what are you gonna do? You swallow your pride and get on the ride.
The schedule:
Campus Loop stops here every 6-12 minutes. Lies. Black Squirrel runs until 5:45. Lies. This bus will for sure get you where you need to go. Lies! There are certain times of the day that we think they all just give up and drive wherever they feel like, whenever they feel like.
Calling in to complain to the PARTA office:
Guess what? They're going to tell you it's your fault. Even if you've been waiting an hour (yes this happened to us) they're going to tell you "I doubt you've been waiting that long, you must have missed it." Oh yes, we're going to call you and lie to you. We're all adults here. And this kind of thing happens multiple times. Maybe if more students complained, they would show up on time.
PARTA:
Even though you need it desperately, there is always a sense of dread and impending doom. But winter is coming and you know more and more people are going to want to ride the buses. However, if it keeps up how it has been running all semester, we all might feel like meeting an untimely end.
