Anyone takes public transportation to work?

Post Reply New Topic

Bus or train? Anyone hates it due to noise issues especially? I take the train into work to DC. I wish the train would have a quiet car but they don't. Things I can't stand!

1. People with BO and bad breath
2. People who talk too loud on their cell phones
3. People who chew gum so loud like a dog.
4. People who listen to their IPODs too loud.
5. People who allow their kids to run up and down the aisles of train and swing on the holding rail.
6. People who eat or drink on the trains. (A sign clearly states NO eating or drinking)
7. Women who laugh so loud (like oh my gawd I'm a ditz!)
8. This isn't really a train issue, but everywhere. Women who just wear skirts way too short. I see most of this during the summer time when the federal govt hires college interns.

Is it the norm for us aspies to not like noise?? I know kids can't help it, but really young ones. Oh the crying really really pisses me off! I'm so glad I have no kids.

I use those noise cancellation ear buds on my ipod... they help a little. even if I don't turn it on. It will muffle out the noise.

Yes - all these issues are well known to every public transport user here in Melbourne, be they NT or Aspie or anywhere in between. Aspies will be particularly vulnerable to this...well, I call it "assault" because that's really how it feels to me when I travel on the train/tram/bus. The noise, the movement, people invading my space, the mandatory idiot that seems to inhabit every single vehicle - it's a nightmare and I'm trapped in it until I reach my destination. Totally sympathise. I cope (just) by keeping my "life savers" at hand at all time (i.e., my earplugs), plus my iPod, puzzles/book, sunglasses are a must and close my eyes when necessary, plus (where possible) I sit in the "special needs" seat as far away from anyone as possible. Of course, I'll surrender it to someone who really needs it...but I often find myself thinking that I'm probably one of them!

Can't say I've *ever* been bothered by women wearing short skirts . I'll take umbrage if the men start on that little caper. Perhaps my "pet hate" along those lines is adolescent males who wear their trousers down around their knees. Someone will need to explain that to me...

I used the car until I arrived at a place where I could get the bus and then went by bus to work. I didn´t use the car for the whole trajectory because there were few places to park it where I worked and I would have to pay for the parking lot. The trip by bus was nice and I liked it. It was not crowded. And also on the trip back I would walk a little to get to the car as the bus didn´t go exactly where I left the car so it was good too.

I just wish the DC metro system can have a quiet car available. It would be better. The VA Railway Express does offer quiet car, but they don't run as often plus it doesn't stop anywhere near my office. It is a little cheaper than the DC metro system too. Also on the VA Railway Express people can eat on board and the seats are more comfy. I dread the afternoon since there are rowdy kids that talk so loud but they all get off at this one stop. I was thinking of vet jobs. My dog's vet is walking distance from my house. Also there is a elemenetary school walking distance from my house too and I almost applied for an admin position there. But I can't stand kids, but the commute would have been great. I have been working with the federal government for 8 years now. I have held this job for that long and its full time. The DC metro system, the cost, the long commute is just too much. But I should be thankful I am getting paid and that I get medical benefits. The pay isn't that great and the cost of the commute is high. It is $10 per day to take the train (to work and back) and $4.50 per day to park. Some metro parking lots are $5.00 So it is basically around $200 a month just on commute. The DC metro system is the 2nd highest in the country. San Fran is the most expensive metro system in the country.

I hate the bus, I feel so awkward sitting there with all those strangers feeling like I don't know where to look or what to do. After a short time I get fidgety and anxious. I don't mind the train so much, I think because you don't see anyone else really. Both my sons are better train travelers than bus too

I heard one of the lines is the worst. I used to take the red line and it had so many issues. Well it STILL does. I hear on the intercom red line delays due to blah blah blah.. I do remember using NYC subway and how it had graffiti in some of the cars.

Ah, public transport. Vital for the car-less in getting around yet it can be hell for me with my asd related sensitivities. Things that bother me:

Too loud ipod music - it actually causes headaches and general throbbing in my head and if I can't cancel it out with my ipod, it can make me feel anger to the point of homicidal due to the pain I'm in. Unfortunately noise-canceling headphones are too expensive but I'm considering getting them anyway.

People talking loudly while having a long conversation - I don't care if they're talking to a deaf person or if they're elderly or whatever else. I'm on the train to go to uni, it's long enough and inconvenient as it is without having to listen to someones idiotic chatter - and it's always about stupid mundane social gossipy things that I don't give a damn about.

Being too crowded - I cannot stand being crowded on the train as I have a slightly higher sense of personal space compared to most people due to AS and I also need to be able to use the long train rides to either study productively or recover.

People talking to me when I don't want to be talked to - I absolutely hate this as they're forcing social interaction and conversation upon me when I find it draining. Especially when they, as likely NTs, should understand the obvious "don't talk to me" signals I'm giving out - which I am able to do. I don't care if they're drunk, lonely or think I'm a nice, interesting person. If I don't want to talk with them, I don't want to and I should be allowed to choose who I converse with. I have had a few of these incidents and I view each one as harassment.

People who obviously stink - such as cigarettes, booze, body odor or something else. Especially when they're older and should be more aware of those things and know how to cover it up. I have enough senses being assaulted at times due to public transport without odor being in the equation.

People who stare at me when I do things. When I'm hungry, I eat and there is no rule against it on the train. If I whip out my netbook to type up stuff or search the net, it's not to show it off, it's to be used. If I whip out my lab manual or lecture notes and start reading or writing stuff - especially chemical formulas or complex equations I don't need an audience. Yes that girl in the uni hoodie is at uni and doing complex science things which is beyond your intelligence and/or level of education. Get over it.

It's no wonder that I choose first class carriages, uncrowded trains and peak hour trains as much as possible.

I catch the train to work now, but when I caught the bus, I used to slightly dread it every day.

Even the train has smelly, loud people - but it's not quite as bad as the bus.

I take the bus at least 4 times a week (other days I get a lift with my brother).

In my area there are no problems on public transport usually. probably because the Blackburn bus drivers will take no nonsense.
however this fact has backfired on me a couple times. like when a woman who hates teens decides to tell the bus driver I pushed pass an OAP, and due to the no nonsense approach I got kicked off the bus despite trying to say I didn't. (my tone of voice probably didn't help though, I think I may have sounded kinda scummy :/ )

What is OAP?

I take the bus every day, to and from work. Every time there is someone, male or female, old or young, who feels it necessary to take the seat right next to me and nudge me against the window (I preffer window seats).
People who stare at me the entire busride also get on my nerves, they make me constantly check my person for any visible oddities.
But the most annoying thing is when getting on the bus, there tend to be a few people who desperately need to get on the bus before anyone else, to the point of pushing others out of the way.

So far I've found that the "aspie stare" can act as a deterrent to people taking the seat next to mine. I just look at people as they board the bus and if they make eye contact it's fairly certain they'll take another seat or even remain standing. It's not foolproof though, there are those who can resist the Gaze.