Public transportation

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I've had good and bad experiences. In Florida, public transportation was the only way to get to fun places as a kid. As an adult, public transportation stops were too far to be useful.

I found the Subway in NYC super convenient. People say it sucks or whatever, but I thought it was convenient.

Washington DC has a nice subway. It's fast, clean, and convenient. I don't need a car when I'm there.

The subway in Moscow is a work of art and operates so well. Please back me up if you've used it yourself.

The buses in Havana, Cuba are an adventure. They could literally be packed so that not one more person fits according to the laws of physics, it could completely breakdown and your only solution is to walk to the next stop and wait for the following bus along with everyone else that just got of the broken bus, or it could be a moving disco/club with reggaeton on the radio, people dancing and drinking rum out of the bottle at 9 am.

I always feel it's too crowded when I take the subway in Beijing.

As I predicted last year I have had to use more public transportation after moving. I have not loved it. I wear my Airpods and it blocks out noise to some extent. But a couple of the times I have rode the buses here I have accidentally ended up on the wrong bus which took me out to a different town, in a crowded bus station surrounded by strangers, a lot of which being men... ugh.

I'm not in a city, so meh public transportation is to be expected, I suppose. I liked the metro in D.C. when I visited a long time ago, but living in a city is not something I ever want to do. Just not my scene.

Years ago I probably caught impetigo while catching public transport. Big patches of it on my face. I had to stay home for two weeks and wash all my clothing and bedding in hot water as it's very contagious.

However, I don't mind public transport at all. I have a car though, and that's the most convenient way for me to travel.

Today on the way to work, the bus had a detour

However still got to work on time

Once when I was waiting for a train, some guy came up to me, yelled something in my face and then dumped a large cup of lemonade on me. I was soaked. I was on the way home so at least I didn't have to put up with being sticky all day. Anyway, some security guards came and escorted the guy away and asked me if I was all right. Just a bit cold but otherwise fine.

I use public transit all the time, I like it for the most part. I wear over ear noise cancelling headphones and listen to music; I also usually wear a hoodie most of the time. The biggest problem for me is that they don't go everywhere, sometimes a desired destination is 1/4 mile or more away from the nearest stop. I pay $25 a month for pass that lets me ride any bus in 2 counties plus bus to a 3rd county base station.

They state I live in has built a light rail that is getting better and longer as time goes on. I have ridden it several times and it is pretty nice, really hard seats though. I pay $2 a day for unlimited access to light rail and regional transit buses that span two more metropolitan counties and the international airport. Always pretty clean but has had issues in the past with people getting attacked in underground station areas and stairwells.

There are also several different ferries from several different ports going to several different islands, I have ridden most of them at least once and a couple I rode many, many times. I love the ferry rides, especially as a walk on passenger. I used to go ride ferry round trip just to enjoy the ride, smelling the salt water and fresh air makes my spirit happy.

There is also an Amtrak and Greyhound station here but I haven't used either in decades. The train is too expensive which keeps me away, it is much quicker and more convenient though. I haven't used Greyhound in long time, I always thought they were too stuffy and crowded for my preferences and avoid them if possible.

The reality is all public transit can be and usually is crowded most of the time. Covid was nice for that alone, people gave me space on the bus. I'm big enough and quiet enough that most people just leave me alone, especially with my hoodie up and headphones on. There are some places and stations I have been to here and abroad that are simply amazing to experience and use, most are merely serviceable at best however. Some are so nasty and full of darkness that I pass through only if necessary and have no other option. No need to chase trouble.

Young adults refusing to give up the priority seats when it's obvious that I have mobility issues.