Riding the public bus?

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Hey guys,
I will not be able to drive, even when I am an adult. I live in a fairly good area, and I've looked at bus routes, and this seems like my best option. Can anyone tell me about their experiences riding the bus, and anything I should know about it (like if I need to wear headphones)? Thanks so much!

I don't think you really NEED to wear headphones.....unless you really hate noise. Most of the tine, riding the bus is painless. If you don't want to talk to people, headphones are useful in keeping people away.

Don't talk to the bus driver much, trust me. Other than that it's pretty easy and self explanatory, just have your ticket ready or exact change. On a longer ride I might put my headphones in but shorter than say 30 mins then I don't bother, can't get into it.

having the fare ready before you enter makes life easier for everyone indeed (either in cash or ticket).

headphones are a great way to block both noise and social things (it is convention to not try to speak to someone wearing headphones)

Yeah....don't forget to have the proper change ready (most of the time, on buses, they require EXACT change). Or fare cards.

People get REALLY upset if they are delayed one second.

Thanks guys!! !

I will be using a pass because my town offers passes to people who cannot drive due to their disability.
Headphones I will make sure to bring (I am extremely auditory-defensive)

OK, back when I was 17, a basic skills course was suggested for me to attend at college. The trouble was, the nearest college to me was a 9-mile bus ride away. Just the thought of getting public transport alone filled me with anxiety. My mum was encouraging me to get the buses and said that it will be OK, and so were the teachers at school, but I just thought ''no way! I can't get public transport alone! Why are you making me do this???'' But at the same time I did want to do this thing at college, so my mum did the best she could to get me confident on the buses. But I was still afraid. When I waited alone at the bus stop to catch the bus alone for the first time, I was worried that I might get the wrong bus. A bus came, and I couldn't quite see the destination on the front, and so I held out my hand to stop the bus, only to realise it was the wrong bus, so I waited til another one came along - which was the right bus. My mum had given me a few useful landmarks of where to get off in the town what the college was at, and I done it right. After a few times of getting the bus alone, I began getting used to it, and didn't need to use the landmarks any more. Then it only took about 3 months before I started recogising the drivers and some of the regular passengers. Then as a year passed by, I was so used to getting the buses, that I began getting friendly with some of the drivers, and began to know all their names. Then I began knowing the route off by heart. Then after I finished with college, I got used to the town, and I kept getting the bus to do voluntary work in one of the charity shops. Then getting the bus to this town became an addiction and an enjoyment. I got friendly with all the drivers, and it became a special interest I never thought I'd have. Then, about 2 or 3 years of being familiar with the drivers, the company suddenly changed, and there was different drivers. I was devastated. But then I began getting used to them, and I found they were much better than the drivers I had before. I became good friends with one of the female drivers, who is a little eccentric and I found out she has Bipolar, and then I got talking to some others. Then I got a job in my local town, which devastated me because I wanted to work somewhere which required getting the bus. But I still got the bus on my days off (thank God I have a bus pass), and then just last year I started dating one of the drivers. Now it's a year later and we have fallen in love and we're getting engaged soon. I'm not with him because he's a bus-driver though. I'd love him whichever occupation he has, but fortunately he happened to be a bus-driver on my bus.

So that's the good part. Something I was so anxious about and considering on not doing at all, had become an enjoyment for me, got me out of my hometown, got me meeting other people, got me doing different things like volunteering, and got me confident with trying new things, and, in time, I have now met a boyfriend out of it!
Not saying that will happen to you, but you never know. You might feel that you like getting public transport after all.

Now here are some of the bad points of getting the bus:-

-It can get crowded sometimes, which sometimes could mean you have to stand, or have some stranger sitting next to you
-People sometimes bring screaming toddlers on, or loud excitable children
-You can't control who sits next to or behind you, sometimes they can be dirty, smelly, loud, annoying, etc
-Buses keep stopping at every bus stop which gets frustrating when you just want to get to your destination
-Sometimes people take ages to pay the fare, which delays the bus
-Sometimes the bus is late, because it's held up in traffic or has broken down somewhere

But you'll soon get used to all that. Besides, there are crowds and screaming toddlers anywhere you go that is public, or most places anyway.

A few tips from an expert:

1. Headphones are good for listening to music
2. If you like to read bring a book, kindle etc
3. Getting a pass is worth but also look into mobility and other reduced fares
4. There are people bus who will not always understand your quirks and might call you names- That's when you wear headphones

I haven't been on a public bus but I believe noise canceling headphones are essential for a good bus ride. Perhaps music it would depend what mood you are in. Personally, I enjoy short car rides down town (just driving) it gives me time to think. Also the bus seats are filthy so I wouldn't really want to take a public bus unless I had to.

I have no problem riding the bus, except for a couple problems: RabbitTransit stops service during the week anywhere outside the City of York after 6:00PM Monday through Friday, and has no bus service outside of the city on the weekends and holidays. The only options I have right now (since my car is still in the garage, and the owners will not accept a post-dated check) would be to bum a ride from my roommates, or shoe sole express.

I don't wear headphones as I am hyper vigilant with regard to my environment and would feel vulnerable if distracted.
Good job getting the pass. Mine's unlimited rides. It's awesome!
Most important: don't hit anyone with your bag when the bus starts moving. It's really annoying when someone does that. Also respect the elderly and infirm. Allow them to take their time and let them sit in the front.

Also know that most people who ride the bus are in their zones and may not want to be bothered. Usually when I board I keep to myself. The only talking I do is texting friends and on the phone.

Hey gravityfalls222.

I agree. Generally, if there are empty seats towards the front, then you can sit there, but when an elderly/physically handicapped person boards, and there aren't any available front seats, then it's common courtesy to give up your seat, find a seat towards the back, or stand. Another thing that I want to mention is if there is an empty window seat next to you, then it would also be courteous for you to move over and take that seat, so that whoever decides to sit next to you will not have to climb over you/your belongings. I've encountered many passengers who don't do this, and it has irked me. Guess I might as well say that if you have belongings like a backpack etc, then kindly rest it on your lap or put it under your seat, rather than on the seat next to you. That's all for now lol.