It’s a Wednesday morning, and I’m
ready to take my first ride on a Metro-Vancouver bus. I leave the house and
walk to the bus stop, and as I walk with the sun glaring in my face, I realise I've forgotten my sunglasses. I keep walking though – no time to turn back.
What if I don’t make it in time? Will I have to run after it like they
do in the movies?
I make it to the stop, sit down
on the bench, and pull out the fare ticket my uncle gave me.
Where do I put this thing? Will I get it back? How do I transfer to my
next bus?
If you’re anything like me, you also have questions about
riding the bus. Here are a few steps to making your trip successful.
Step 1: Planning Your
Route
You probably know where you want to go already, but now you
need to know how to get there.
I personally prefer using the Google
Maps app. I just enter my current location, my destination, and when I
would like to leave/arrive by – Google handles the rest! It tells me when to
leave the house to get to the stop on time, how long to ride the bus, what stop
to get off at, and where to go to reach my final destination.
Your local transit system probably has an online trip
planner that will work as well (if you’re in the Vancouver area, click here). Local convenience stores and
larger transit stations will also have maps and schedules you can take.
Step 2: Fare Payment
There are a few ways to pay:
a) Spare Change. Check your local transit website
for prices – they vary from place to place.
b) Fare Tickets. These usually cost less if you buy
them in a book. Places like 7-Eleven and Shoppers Drug Mart typically have them.
c) Transit Pass. If you plan on taking transit regularly
(or every day, in my case), then this is the way to go. Passes are for
unlimited travel, so you never have to worry about having fare for the day. (Check
for discounts too, especially if you’re a student or senior)
Step 3: Getting On
Be at your bus stop early (3-5 minutes before). There is
nothing worse than watching the bus pull away from the curb, and you probably
don’t want to be that person running to make it on in time.
Have your fare ready when the bus arrives – no one wants to
wait for you to get it out.
Let any elderly or disabled persons go ahead of you. If you
plan on riding the same route often, you may want the other riders to like you.
Insert your ticket/change into the machine and wait for your
transfer ticket. This serves as proof of payment and lets you get on another
bus, within a certain time limit, without having to pay again. If you’re using
a pass, you will either have to scan it or show it to the driver.
That reminds me of another thing: always smile at the bus
driver. As you become more familiar with the system, you will realise that the
driver has a hard job and every smile counts.
Now choose a seat. If you have the option, somewhere close
to the back door is nice. Try to save the seats at the front for elderly and
disabled people.
Step 4: Getting Off
Listen for the stop announcements so you don’t miss your
stop. As soon as your stop is announced, press the stop button or pull the rope
along the side of the bus (some buses may only have one or the other).
Unless you like making a fool of yourself, don’t try to move
around the bus while it is starting or stopping. It’s a little hard to keep your
balance during those times.
Thank the bus driver on the way out. You definitely don’t
have to, but I always think it’s a nice thing to do, and lots of people do it!
Those are all the
basics. Have a safe trip and feel free to ask me any questions in the comments!
My niece Stephanie drives bus in Vancouver. Very nice lady with a unique sense of humor. I believe she drives to UBC. In any case, watch for a driver who is friendly, female, has long hair and an infectious smile. That would be Stephanie.
ReplyDeleteMiss you, girl!
Midge Nayler
I'll keep my eye out. :) Miss you too!
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