You wouldn’t think something as simple as riding a bus warrants a 500 word post. Well, you’ll be surprised how many pitfalls you can avoid by reading a few tips. I wish I knew this stuff before getting on the MTA.
Always flag down the bus
Bus drivers don’t usually stop unless you let them know it’s their bus you want to get on. You could be waiting for a different bus or a cab or a blind date. Who knows what your agenda is? So why leave room for doubt. Reach your arm out and wave. It’s not that hard.
Carry a metra card
You can pay cash on the bus, but the last thing you want to do is fumble around for change while the bus driver drums his fingers on the steering wheel. New Yorkers are an impatient lot. It’s part of their culture, so let’s respect that. You can get a Metra card at any subway station. And for every twenty dollars you get a two dollar bonus.
Practice how to insert the card
The yellow side of the card should always face upwards. And it should be inserted into the machine in the direction of the arrow. The instructions are all on the card, but I made the stupidity of not reading them. I had to face the embarrassment of coming across as a dum dum in front of the driver⎯who after rolling his eyes many times ⎯finally turned my card around and inserted it for me.
Go for the single seats
They’re on your right as soon as you enter the bus. It’s your only chance to avoid sitting next to a chatty aunty from Queens or a woman with a whiny kid on her lap. I don’t have a problem with that, but if you prefer to appreciate the sights of NYC in solitude (that’s why you’re riding the bus, right?), it’s better to just sit by yourself. Also while taking the tour, I’ve observed that the views are better when you sit on the single seaters anyway.
Take advantage of the two hour rule
When you get on the bus with your metra card, you can get off and get on as many times as you want within a two hour window. If you don’t have a card, then refer tip #1. (or ask for a transfer ticket)
The bus is more flexible at night
Between 10pm and 4am you can ask the bus driver to stop anywhere you want. The rules say they’re supposed to let you get off anywhere as long as it’s safe to do so. And they're usually good about that.
If you take pictures, turn off the sound
The constant ‘chachik’ sound from the digital camera or phone may annoy fellow passengers. Did I mention New Yorkers are an impatient lot? So use the menu on your digital camera and turn off the unnecessary sound (they have no other purpose other than making digital cameras to sound as cool as their film counterparts.)
Don’t panic
Sometimes the bus driver will stop the bus in the middle of his route, apologize, then ask everyone to get off and take the next bus (which is usually following right behind). There’s probably a valid reason for this random behavior. I never got a chance to find out. Maybe you'll have better luck.
So that's really it. If I missed anything please let me know. Enjoy!
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