Going Where?

Here recently I've become a regular rider of public transportation as I no longer have a car.

For the most part it's been okay. Rainy days have been tough, and being out after dark isn't much fun (in another post I'll share with you my recent ride that I took from a stranger. CRAZY...I know!)

Aside from those two things though, I've gotten pretty good at getting where I need to go. Google Maps has become my new best friend. I don't leave home without it.

Where things get a bit tricky though are at the bus stops...like the one pictured here. Can somebody, ANYBODY tell me WHICH ROUTES stop here?!? I mean, yeah...I can clearly see that Long Beach Transit and the Metro stop here, but again, WHICH ROUTES?!? You don't have to be a regular bus rider to know that that information is kinda important. By the way, that 2407 at the bottom of the sign isn't the route number I'm referring to. Apparently it has something to do with the route, but that isn't the number that I'd be looking for on the actual bus.

Between signs like this, and bus stops that have NO sign AT ALL...the experience can be a bit frustrating at times.

For this reason, my favorite method of public transportation are the trains. You know...Blue Line, Red Line, Green Line, etc. They are SOOO easy! And since the trains have fewer, yet clearly marked stops, I can actually READ on the train and not worry about missing my stop. I rarely read on the bus unless I'm coming home. That's pretty much the only time I know exactly when my stop is coming up.

In my travels, I've learned that some buses announce EVERY upcoming stop. That is sooo helpful! Others, only announce the MAJOR stops that connect to other lines. On those buses I have to pay extremely close attention otherwise I look up and could be three or four blocks away from where I meant to get off. That's great for my Fitbit...not so great if I'm trying to get somewhere by a certain time.

Anywhoo...It's been almost a month and I miss my stops much less often than I did at the beginning. Little by little I'm becoming a pro. Me and my TAP card know how to get around.

How 'bout you? Let the DIALOGUE begin: Are you a regular public transportation rider, or are you like the majority of Californians enjoying the luxury of having a car?

Talk to me!

Til next time...