Today I used my Bus Pass for the first time. My car has had to go for wheel refurbishment so I am without my own transport for twenty-four hours. The company working on my car want the payment in cash (I am getting a proper receipt - they have been in business for 27 years - they were recommended by Kwik Fit - so I don't think they are dodgy)
As I pay for almost everything by debit card, I do not usually have cash in the house - at least not the sort of amount that the car job will take, so I decided that I needed to visit my bank. Then an information leaflet about local bus services was delivered through the letter box and I took this to be a good omen for taking an adventurous ride into town.
I sorted out the times for catching the bus to town and for the return journey. I made sure I was properly kitted out for public transport and I made my way to the bus stop. After about five minutes the bus arrived, I showed my bus pass to the driver and he asked where I was going - he needed to issue me with a ticket even though I did not have to pay. There were just two other passengers on the bus (both very obviously old age pensioners) and they greeted me with a friendly hello.
The first thing I noticed about the journey was the seating - not nearly as comfortable as a car seat - and no seat belts! Next, the noise of the engine was so loud that it would have been impossible to hold a conversation in a normal voice - I did look, but I could not see the engine anywhere inside. The bus had very many signs and adverts around the innards. As a child, I travelled by bus frequently and there were many signs inside those buses too. I was very proud to be able to read them. The one that fascinated me was 'SPITTING PROHIBITED'. On my journey today there was no such prohibition - perhaps the travelling public have become more civilised over the decades.
As the bus slowly made its way to town, it turned off the main road and went through a housing estate. After a couple more bus stops the bus driver switched off the engine and the bus remained where it was. Eventually restarting its journey, it made a convoluted route back through the estate to join the main road. I got off the bus in the middle of the town which was very handy and I had about an hour to do my shopping before I could catch a bus back home. I met some people I knew and chatted with them and I had time to browse in charity shops as well as going to the bank.
I decided that on the return journey I would notice whether the bus was as noisy ( I don't remember the buses of my childhood being quite so loud) I also wondered if the bus would be as empty. The bus arrived on time, it was the same bus and driver as on the outward journey! There were quite a few more passengers and we were soon travelling back, but by a different convoluted route.
Altogether, my adventure took just over two hours. Although it would have been much quicker to go by my own transport travelling by bus does have a few advantages. Buses have bus lanes which means thay can speed through the traffic at busy times. I didn't have to drive, or find and pay for a parking space and I was able to notice the surroundings. I have found a couple of detours that I could use if the main
road gets jammed.
I think I shall use my bus pass again, but only when the weather is good and I don't have a lot of shopping to carry, and when I have lots of time!
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3 comments:
Your description was great. I felt like I was there with you. If I did anything like that it would be to flag down an Amish buggy. I thought of you the other day when using the terrific tomato knife. (the one you like so much)
I like bus travel, but you are correct about the negative points. Often the bus route is much longer than what a car would do. My current commute is 25 minutes by car, but an hour and a half by bus. Needless to say, I'll only be going by bus when the can breaks down.
But a free bus pass is awfully handy!
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