By now you’ve probably read about or even seen the video coverage of Eclipse, the black lab in Seattle that occasionally rides the bus by herself to the dog park. If you haven’t, it’s pretty adorable and you should take a moment www.MassTransitmag.com/11804393.
I know plenty of people that won’t take the bus, even to any one of our many lakefront summer festivals because it’s just easier to drive. Sometimes, sure, that may be the case but if you’re going to Summerfest from anywhere in Southeastern Wisconsin, there are countless shuttles operated by Milwaukee County Transit System and other providers going directly from park-and-rides to the front gate of the festival. It couldn’t be easier. And services like that are a great introduction for someone that’s never ridden before.
“Travel season” for the MT team starts up about now and that means riding unfamiliar systems in unfamiliar cities so I often understand the apprehension about transit I hear from people.
People visiting a city often don’t have a car and are ideal candidates to ride transit but there’s nothing more intimidating than feeling completely lost in a city.
I read about your systems every day, I’ve watched many of your “how-to” videos and read your guides on your blogs. I’ve traveled on a variety of systems, becoming familiar with different types of maps, fare policies, vehicles, procedures. So when I have a hard time in an unfamiliar city or am struggling, I wonder what visitors that have no familiarity with transit must think.
My two biggest obstacles are that I’m directionally challenged and I have the patience of a 3-year-old. Things like reading zone charts to calculate a fare won’t happen. I look for a smart card I can just overfill or a day pass to buy. Waiting at a stop not knowing when it’s coming or if it's coming, serious annoyance. And, the risk of getting on a train or bus going in the wrong direction, is high with me. It has been done. More than once.
I don’t know how many of the buses have it, but in Las Vegas, one of the buses I rode to the convention center had digital signage that listed off the streets you were passing and then ones coming up. Greatest thing ever for those of us not from the city and not having any idea when our stop is just by looking out the window.
Mobile apps. How beautiful is it that I can be ready before I even get to the city without planning out where they sell smart cards, if they have them, how much will it will be, and whether or not I need to carry actual cash to pay for it. So far, one account of fare evasion. Sorry SEPTA, I'm used to Amtrak where you can use a debit card on board. Luckily he was very nice as he issued me the note to mail in my fare with the warning there is a fine for repeat offenders.
Riding the bus may sometimes not be as easy as Eclipse makes it look, but with all of the tools agencies are using today, it’s getting darn close.
