Public Transportation

swhite2012 · July 2011

So I was riding the bus to work this morning (which was 10 minutes late) and all of the seats were full so people had to stand. The thing that pisses me off so much is there was a guy sitting on the outside seat with his bag on the inside seat. When there are people standing. It makes me want to yell at people like that so badly. I think it is so incredibly rude. I don't care personally if I have a seat or not, but there are some people who do. Ugh.

Anyways. This got me thinking about public transit. We are lucky in Ann Arbor to have both a city and University bus system. I grew up in a small town with no public transit, so I was wary to use it at first, but (when it's on schedule) it is so helpful. I went to NYC last month and the subway system is just incredible. I've also used the Metro in Paris, but I don't remember it that well. I'm a little biased with pro-public transit because I want to get my Master's in Urban Planning.

So, does your city have public transit? What kind? Do you enjoy using it or find it horrible? If your city doesn't, would you use it if it was provided to you? It's going to be a slow morning and work and just thought I'd try and start a conversation!

[Deleted User] · July 2011

I can completely sympathize with your frustration this morning swhite. I think when you take public transit you have to be prepared to not like the behavior of everyone around you...but that doesn't mean it doesn't get to me sometimes too! I once had a guy across from me with his feet up op on the seat and his ipod on really loud. An elderly woman was trying to get off the train and couldn't figure out how to get over his legs since he wasn't moving. It pissed me off so much I actually slapped his knee and said "come on, move". I cannot believe I did that...it's so out of character for me. I just felt bad for this poor woman. ugh. Anyway...

Does your city have public transit?
Yes.

What kind?
Bus and light rail (like a metro but above-ground)

Do you enjoy using it or find it horrible?
I commute by light rail and bus every morning. I enjoy it because I can read or listen to music, not get stressed out or delayed by accidents or traffic, and my work pays for my pass so it saves me money.

If your city doesn't, would you use it if it was provided to you?
I feel sad for larger cities that don't have public transit. I think it's a wonderful option for many people.

mookow86 · July 2011

Does your city have public transit?
Yep.

What kind?
Bus, light rail, and a teeny tiny metro in downtown

Do you enjoy using it or find it horrible?
I take the bus every day to and from work. It's paid for since I'm a grad student, so for that I'm thankful. The horrible thing is that the buses are EXTREMELY overcrowded nearly all times of the day, in part due to the recent budget cuts and service cuts. I really hate all the pushing and shoving that goes on to try and catch a bus. Blech.

Swazzle · July 2011

Yep, we have buses, light rail, regular trains, subway, Path, and ferries. I live just across the river from NYC so there's tons of public transportation around here. I take the light rail to work, it's only 4 stops (7 minutes) from my apartment. When I go into the city I take the Path or the ferry over and I actually rarely take the subway. I really hate it a lot so I generally take a cab when I go out.

swhite2012 · July 2011

I wish we had some kind of light rail or subway because the buses are affected by traffic and construction so much. Ann Arbor really isn't big enough to put something like that in though.

SeaTea02 · July 2011

Our public transport sucks. We have a bus system for downtown and for the university. The city bus system is infrequent and doesn't go most places. The majority of my city are suburbs.

Ollie08 · July 2011

I'm with SeaTea on this one. We have busses and that's it. I don't live in the city, and there aren't any busses that come as far out as where I live. I would use public transportation if it was available and took me to all of the places I needed to go. But the reality is (especially with kids) that I need the flexibility of my own car in order to get everyone where they need to go at the time they need to be there.

AnneR15 · July 2011

Does your city have public transit? What kind?
Yes, we have both city and university bus systems, and there's a new commuter rail that's been around for a couple of years.

Do you enjoy using it or find it horrible?
The buses are okay, but I don't use them often. They're convenient if you live near downtown or near campus, but it's a pain to use otherwise. Austin is a very spread out city, and the public transportation system just has not caught up to the growth.

I've never used the commuter rail, because it doesn't run anywhere near where I live. The city used existing train tracks to build it in order to save money, which means it's extremely limited and you have to both live and work in very specific locations throughout town for it to be worth using. It also doesn't run after 7 pm on weekdays and not at all on weekends, which are the times I'd probably be most likely to use it.

If your city doesn't, would you use it if it was provided to you?
I would love if we had a light rail or metro system that worked. I know they plan on expanding the current rail, but I'm not sure how that will work or how long it will take. I'd definitely use it to get to/from work.

Beads921 · July 2011

My city does have transit (busses only, soon to get LRT and rapid busses...maybe), but it's not good. Constantly behind, impossible schedule to remember, over crowded, and so on. This is a major university/college town, so it should be better than it is.

I don't use it, for obvious reasons. Where I'm from didn't have transit, so I just don't like it. And I have a car, so I have no reason to put myself through the stress.

GreenPepperBurger · July 2011

I live in NYC and it is fantastic that the subway runs 24 hours. However, it does get incredibly crowded, there are delays, and service blows on off-peak hours (late night) and the weekends.

marleylikeair · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_public-transportation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:6f5dbbf2-a164-493b-8be2-12db7f579415Post:966d6555-ea88-4222-9d59-ac975243f6f6">Public Transportation</a>:
[QUOTE]So I was riding the bus to work this morning (which was 10 minutes late) and all of the seats were full so people had to stand. The thing that pisses me off so much is there was a guy sitting on the outside seat with his bag on the inside seat. When there are people standing. It makes me want to yell at people like that so badly. I think it is so incredibly rude. I don't care personally if I have a seat or not, but there are some people who do. Ugh. Anyways. This got me thinking about public transit. We are lucky in Ann Arbor to have both a city and University bus system. I grew up in a small town with no public transit, so I was wary to use it at first, but (when it's on schedule) it is so helpful. I went to NYC last month and the subway system is just incredible. I've also used the Metro in Paris, but I don't remember it that well. I'm a little biased with pro-public transit because I want to get my Master's in Urban Planning. So, does your city have public transit? What kind? Do you enjoy using it or find it horrible? If your city doesn't, would you use it if it was provided to you? It's going to be a slow morning and work and just thought I'd try and start a conversation!
Posted by swhite2012[/QUOTE]

Duluth has buses. I used them a few times before I bought my car. I didn't mind using them, but it sure is nice to have a car. I get to leave exactly when I want and from wherever I want. I moved here from NYC, so I'm extremely familiar with public transit.

I grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, though, the land of the automobile. There is a bus system, I believe part of the Detroit system, but I never took it once. I had always heard it was terrible in terms of service area and frequency. Of course, that's directly related to the presence of Ford and others.

The guy with his bag wouldn't bother me at all unless I asked politely if I could have the seat and the guy refused or gave me an attitude about it. In NYC, people are always leaving bags on the seat next to them, but there's sort of a culturally-accepted practice of just saying "excuse me" and making a motion toward the seat, and the person will almost always move the bag. I agree it's a little rude because it puts other riders in the uncomfortable position of asking the bag to be moved, but like I said, it wouldn't bug me.

I like this thread--it's just reminded me I could probably hop on a bus downtown if I'm going out for the night and grab a taxi home if needed, rather than worrying about my car being left somewhere I'd have to retrieve it from the next day.

swhite--I love Ann Arbor. :)

swhite2012 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_public-transportation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:6f5dbbf2-a164-493b-8be2-12db7f579415Post:94d23ce6-23fb-466f-b4dd-91740863a15b">Re: Public Transportation</a>:
[QUOTE]I like this thread--it's just reminded me I could probably hop on a bus downtown if I'm going out for the night and grab a taxi home if needed, rather than worrying about my car being left somewhere I'd have to retrieve it from the next day. swhite--<strong>I love Ann Arbor</strong>. :)
Posted by marleylikeair[/QUOTE]

I do too, but I doubt I will be staying here after graduation due to the job market, which is unfortunate =(

CASK85 · July 2011

Does your city have public transit?
Yes.

What kind?
Busses, subway/elevated trains (aka: the L), metra (commuter trains from suburbs to city)

Do you enjoy using it or find it horrible?
I ride the bus to work every morning. I used to ride the L to work when I lived closer to a stop). The bus I take is an express bus and it is really nice - generally not too crowded unless it has been 15 minutes since the last bus, and it gets me to work fast. The local busses are full of crazy people, so I try to avoid them. If someone is taking up a seat with their bag and I want to sit I will just ask them to move it.

The L is extremely crowded during rush hour and sucks during Cubs games. . . I don't love it. But it is a hell of a lot cheaper than owning a car, paying for parking, insurance, gas etc.

marleylikeair · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_public-transportation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:6f5dbbf2-a164-493b-8be2-12db7f579415Post:a9836041-4e5a-4bc8-9fac-bf746f2c12f3">Re: Public Transportation</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Public Transportation : I do too, but I doubt I will be staying here after graduation due to the job market, which is unfortunate =(
Posted by swhite2012[/QUOTE]

Boo! Where do you think you'll go?

In A2, do you get downtown often? A family member of mine owns Mighty Good Coffee in downtown A2, so if you're a coffee person, check it out!

swhite2012 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_public-transportation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:6f5dbbf2-a164-493b-8be2-12db7f579415Post:efc70f30-a09f-4142-a914-0d715203a320">Re: Public Transportation</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Public Transportation : Boo! Where do you think you'll go? In A2, do you get downtown often? A family member of mine owns Mighty Good Coffee in downtown A2, so if you're a coffee person, check it out!
Posted by marleylikeair[/QUOTE]

Well I am graduating with a degree in architecture, but I would like to do Urban Planning. Either of those is going to require a big city to have many opportunities (BF is has a degree in architecture too, so we will both be looking in that field). There also has to be grad schools(s) with architecture/urban planning degrees in the area because we would both like to go back for Master's eventually, and we would like to not have to move again. We were thinking maybe Denver, but then we visited NYC and I fell in love with it. Plus BF has family out there, which is nice. I'm graduating in May 2012, so we need to start making plans for where we're going but it's so difficult. Do we pick an area first and then look for jobs once we move or try and do the job hunting thing from out of state and move where one of us/both of us find a job. So frustrating.

Anyways, I do love going downtown A2, but I am not a coffee drinker =( I may check it out anyways though!

marleylikeair · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_public-transportation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:6f5dbbf2-a164-493b-8be2-12db7f579415Post:bcadc830-a1ff-4df9-9bec-4f50935a5621">Re: Public Transportation</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Public Transportation : Well I am graduating with a degree in architecture, but I would like to do Urban Planning. Either of those is going to require a big city to have many opportunities (BF is has a degree in architecture too, so we will both be looking in that field). There also has to be grad schools(s) with architecture/urban planning degrees in the area because we would both like to go back for Master's eventually, and we would like to not have to move again. We were thinking maybe Denver, but then we visited NYC and I fell in love with it. Plus BF has family out there, which is nice. I'm graduating in May 2012, so we need to start making plans for where we're going but it's so difficult. Do we pick an area first and then look for jobs once we move or try and do the job hunting thing from out of state and move where one of us/both of us find a job. So frustrating. Anyways, I do love going downtown A2, but I am not a coffee drinker =( I may check it out anyways though!
Posted by swhite2012[/QUOTE]

Cool! I lived in NYC for 6 years and it can be a great place if you like being in a very urban area. There's always New Jersey, too, if you want to work in the city but live in the suburbs! :) Denver sounds cool. I've always heard great things.

Sounds like a challenging situation--job or location first? But it also sounds exciting. I'll be interested to know what happens!

wink0erin · July 2011

We only have busses, and from what I hear, they're terrible. Not only gross, but filled with questionable people. I've only rode the city bus a couple times but I'd pretty much rather take a taxi if I had to.

Otherwise I'd just call friends until I found someone to give me a ride somewhere. I wouldn't get anywhere if I didn't have my car. Everything is way too spread out!

I really love metro/subway systems. Whenever I go to DC I primarily use that to get around.

Hazel_B · July 2011

Yes, buses and 1 train.

I like using them, but they are no longer sufficient for the size and growth of the city. Word War 3 is crrently underway to get LRT. it might be installed by the time I retire.

motoLyn · July 2011

I live in Los Angeles... Orange County, nuff said....

CASK85 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_public-transportation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:6f5dbbf2-a164-493b-8be2-12db7f579415Post:3e927e25-b021-4952-9ad8-c911c8672300">Re: Public Transportation</a>:
[QUOTE]I live in Los Angeles... Orange County, nuff said....
Posted by motoLyn[/QUOTE]
CARMAGEDDON!!!

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