What's so bad about riding the bus to work?

[Bright_Star]

I called my mom to wish her a Happy Thanksgiving & it wasn't long before she started talking about & getting upset over the fact that I take the bus every day to work. I said I don't mind taking it cause it's comfy & I read a book on the way. PLUS when I get to the transfer center & I know I have a ways to wait for the next bus then I head on over to a deli or someplace like that so I don't have to wait outside if the weather is nasty. & I get something to eat or drink while I'm waiting.

She was actually crying over the phone & I tried telling her that I'm doing fine. Said if she had the money to give me for a car then she'd do it but she can't.

Riding the bus gets me to work on time. Doesn't bother me one bit. Eventually I'll get a car but I'm no hurry.

[Cat]

I wish I had the option of a bus or train to work!! My commute is about 2 hours round trip, and I've love that time to read or watch movies


Nothing at all wrong a bus (unless ya sit near some crazies)

[Plaidman]

Saves money on gas. Less pollution. You enjoy it. Get to meet new people. Time to read and thus further your mind.

Yeah. Plenty of reasons to ride bus.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Bus is a lot cheaper than car maintenance. When I worked in Philly I drove 10 minutes to the train statin (50 cents a day to park, unless I parked in the overflow area and then it was free...but also came with the risk of finding your car in the middle of a mud puddle if it rained all day) and had a half hour train ride, then 6 blocks to walk (or 4 blocks on the subway and 2 blocks to walk) to my office. Of course, my train pass was in addition to my car expenses, but I didn't use nearly as much gas as I do now, with a 30-mile round trip and no convenient public trasportation. And that doesn't include the extra mileage and related upkeep. (If I worked in NYC, I would have a two minute walk to the bus stop behind my apartment complex.) And I can't read while I drive.

[Broomjockey]

I love taking the bus for a number of reasons. Unfortunately, my ride's not long enough to read any more, but you know how much I spend on transit in an average month? $45. Due to my job, I get to ride a portion of our subway for free, and I take that to/from work, and I just have to walk a few blocks in exchange. So I end up buying about 20 bus tickets a month for when I'm lazy or going somewhere outside walking range. Even if I didn't have the job I did, a bus pass is about $78/month for unlimited rides. I know people who spend twice that for gas a month.

[lupo pazzesco]

I personally don't really mind metro. It's about an hour to an hour and a half each way, depending on traffic. I can get pretty much most places around town by bus, and I spend $1.20, round trip. That's about $36/month, riding the bus once a day, with free transfers. I get to read or study. I honestly don't think there's anything wrong with it. My mom has expressed that she sometimes wishes I could have a car, for safety reasons, but it works for me.

[tropicsgoddess]

When I rode the bus, there were some good and bad things about it.

Good:

I can sleep, watch videos, text, talk and surf the net and read while riding the bus
Meet new people
Less Expensive


Bad:
Waiting for more than 20 minutes at a time for the bus (especially in inclement weather too)

Dealing with crazies and smellies on the bus

The long walking distances to some or most bus stops (especially those without covers)

[Soulstealer]

Maybe next time she mentions it you could sit down and explain to her that you like the bus and that there's nothing wrong with it.

[Chromatix]

Since the main railway station's underground section flooded a couple of weeks ago, I now have to take the train and then the bus (because the metro no longer stops there). The alternative is to walk to the next metro stop.

Fortunately the public transport here is completely integrated, so it doesn't cost me any extra - it's just dashed inconvenient. But it's still better than trying to drive or cycle the distance every day. (And I don't have a car anyway.)

[NightWatch]

I live 6 blocks from work and drive. I used to walk or bike to work, but my coworkers eat out nearly every day and throw a fit if I don't drive at least one day a week. I got tired of getting my head chewed off for it. I guess now that I can't afford to eat out anymore I can go back to walking/biking.

[Stormraven]

I have no problems normally with taking a bus. As has been said, gives me time to read, etc.

Couldn't do it at my last place of work, though. In order to get to work by 7 o'clock (actually about ten minutes to), I had to be awake at about 3:30, so I could walk a mile and a half to a bus stop, which bus would take me to BART. Three stops on that, then another bus would take me to work.

Relaxing, except for the sleep I'd lose. Still, if it were an option for any upcoming jobs I'd definitely consider it.

[Mikkel]

Did she explain why she thought it was so bad? I can't see why it should be.

[blas]

The OP's mother could be worried about her safety, because parenting is a lifetime thing

My parents are like that about my laundry....they don't want me taking it anywhere but their place.

[Gravekeeper]

I'm 29 and have never had a license. Never needed one. Public transit has gotten me everywhere since I moved out at 18. Why would I want the sheer expense of a vehicle and the stress of driving it when I don't need one in any capacity?

I mean if I had a car it'd be a 60 minute commute to work. Without one its a 45 minute nap to work. >.>

[Jester]

Public transit has gotten me everywhere since I moved out at 18. Why would I want the sheer expense of a vehicle and the stress of driving it when I don't need one in any capacity?

Two points here.

1. The OP's public transportation system may not be at the level of Vancouver's, and the OP's mother may well know this.

2. You have regaled us time and again with horror stories from your daily commute. From crazies to drunks to weirdos to police situations to transit breakdowns to stuff I am not even remembering. Frankly, I hardly think you are the poster boy for joys of public transportation!