Help! Anything but Public Transportation!
Welcome to what I call a living nightmare… Okay if that didn’t make you turn away I think we are good to go. Public transportation is a lifesaver and a horrible dream all wrapped up in a little package. Lucky for you I am going to lay it out for you which will make traveling via public transportation a breeze. We won’t let that little anxiety monster consume you today!
Table of Contents
First Things First
The first suggestion I have for you while attempting to take public transportation is to plan ahead… I repeat PLAN AHEAD! It is vital to keep your anxiety and stress level to a minimum while taking the train, bus or other means of getting around.
Download a convenient transit app for your phone. It is a lifesaver! Most of the transit apps have up to date information on the schedules and times of all the departing transit. You can even plan ahead with a convenient reminder bell for when it is time to leave to catch your transportation.
My Favorite is Transit – Bus & Subway Times http://transitapp.com
They offer easy to understand content relating to the closest buses or trains to your location, which takes the guessing game out of which line or bus you’re looking for. It also has a great feature where you can put in the address of where you are commuting to and they will give you the lines to take and the time it will take for you to get there. It also allows you to search for transit in tons of cities and towns around the world. One word to describe it is AWESOME!
My Second Favorite is Google Maps
I also recommend the use of Google Maps. Google Maps Transit seems to have a broad range of cities and countries covered. So fear not, they will be there for you and are up to the moment with times of arrival and departure. This is one that I also use very often and highly recommend. Another great feature with this is you can easily switch from different ways of traveling from one destination to another, which takes a lot of stress and uncertainties away.
Get a Fare Card for the Trains and Buses
This is definitely a must. This is not only a cheaper way to travel. (most cities charge more for paying with cash) This will not only save you time, but it will also keep you from the glaring stares from your fellow passengers trying to get to where they want and need to go. Most fare cards are linkable online, which allows you to add balance to your card from anywhere anytime. Another perk to this is if you lose your card you can cancel it with just a click so no one tries to use it.
Be Prepared for the Unthinkable
Shhhhhhhh… Ahhhh Quiet
The train is like a game of Russian roulette. Pick the wrong train or bus and you might sit down to a nice moist seat from who knows what. Or my personal favorite is that guy next to you who has no idea that headphones exist and thinks everyone wants to listen to his most recently recorded sick beats he’s going to release and be the next hottest thing… NOT!!! Make sure to carry in your arsenal of items while traveling noise-canceling headphones, they are a godsend. This was actually a suggestion by my therapist. I took his advice and never went back. Noise-canceling earplugs are the next best thing and you can buy a pair at your local pharmacy, online like Amazon or big-box retailer.
Occupy the Mind
Bring some reading material, whether it is a paperback book, newspaper, Kindle Paperwhite, or your good old cell phone. Reading is key to cancel out all the other stressful shenanigans going on around you. It helps calm the soul and keeps the mind occupied.
Pick up a Kinde here from Amazon.
Safety First
Always keep an eye on your belongings. They should always be attached to your body or touching your body at all times. People who have impure ideas and are up to no good are always lingering about. Don’t ever judge a book by its cover. That businessman next to you might not be who he seems. Just keep those street smarts alert while traveling on public transport and you will have a peaceful and safe trip to your final destination.
If you see something that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe don’t ever hesitate to say something. There is a driver or a conductor. Don’t be afraid to push those emergency buttons to report a concern, that is why they are there. If something doesn’t feel or seem right it probably isn’t. Move to a different train or let the driver know of your worry. We are all in this together and you might have stopped an issue before it happened and was too late.
Lastly, if you are traveling off-hours or later at night, plan ahead so you are not loitering at a stop longer than required. Once you get on, try to sit closer to the front of the bus or train. It is always better to stay safer. Like the saying goes, better safe than sorry. For more detailed information on safety, check out my blog Safety is #1 – Saftey Tips While Traveling.
Conclusion
To conclude, taking public transportation doesn’t have to be scary or stressful. I hope you can utilize these tips and make your next adventure less stressful and more fulfilling. Just remember, we are in this together.
CTA Bus