| 1) Learn the Bus and Train Lines. Call the | | | | in a free seat next to you and not pay attention, you |
| Transportation Department for your city and ask if | | | | know what will happen. |
| they have any maps showing the city or entire region | | | | 14) Use good common sense - which will cover much |
| of the area you are requesting route information for. | | | | of what is not written here. |
| You may be able to get it free or pay a fee - it is well | | | | 15) Pay attention to the Bus number and block number |
| worth it. | | | | which may be in the lower part in the corner of the |
| 2) Visit your State's Transportation Department's | | | | front window. Just in case you lose something or |
| Website. These sites have very valuable information | | | | something happens. |
| to the public transportation user. | | | | 16) Like anywhere else there are con people that use |
| 3) Check for any incentive programs available to get | | | | the bus. It's good to be pleasant but don't provide too |
| people to use public transportation, or tax breaks to | | | | much of your intimate details about where you may |
| company's that your employer may not know about. | | | | be going to complete strangers. For example telling |
| Some states will give you up to a $65 a month | | | | someone you are on the way to the bank or shopping, |
| discount on such programs. | | | | this equates in people's mind that you have money. |
| 4) Check to see if you are eligible for a disability or | | | | 17) Be alert to what's going on around you. |
| senior citizen discount. | | | | 18) Keep this in mind. Just because someone is a Bus |
| 5) If you plan on using public transportation frequently | | | | Driver doesn't mean they know every street in the |
| buy a weekly or monthly pass - this will save you lots | | | | city, granted - drivers can help you with a lot of |
| of money in the long run. | | | | destinations throughout the regions, but sometimes |
| 6) Keep good records of your ridership - you may | | | | they just don't know or have just started. Sometimes |
| qualify for tax breaks. | | | | the other passengers know more about how to get to |
| 7) Get schedules by calling, online, from libraries or | | | | your destination. If you have no idea of where you are |
| community centers. You may be able to print the | | | | going, call the bus company they may have people |
| schedule online on your printer. | | | | that could help you over the telephone. |
| 8) Have good alternatives planned in case something | | | | 19) If you loose something on the bus check with the |
| happens to your regular bus route. Learn how to use | | | | lost and found department or call the company directly |
| subways in case of heavy traffic, sporting events, | | | | if you have the bus and block numbers. |
| parades or marathons. | | | | 20) Keep a close eye on your children both at the |
| 9) Keep your dollar bills as flat as possible, don't ball | | | | stop and while getting on the bus. Make sure they are |
| them up, and make sure your money doesn't have | | | | secure when they are on the bus before the driver |
| any rips or tears in them. Farebox machines often will | | | | pulls off. |
| not accept torn bills. | | | | 21) Bring something interesting to read with you. |
| 10) Be aware of what's going on in your city. Sporting | | | | 22) If you are new to riding the bus try not to go to |
| events, popular plays, circuses, road construction, | | | | sleep or you may miss your stop. |
| marathons etc. can have a great impact on your | | | | 23) If possible, try to stay at least 1 - 2 buses ahead of |
| commute time especially if you work weekends. | | | | the one that will get you to your destination by the time |
| 11) If you plan to use strollers, use the light weight | | | | you need, in case a bus breaks down or traffic. A |
| portable type. Start taking them down the moment | | | | good rule of thumb to use is - The more important an |
| you see the bus in the distance. | | | | event is to you the earlier you want to be there. |
| 12) Keep your hands as free as possible - you can get | | | | 24) You are saving a lot of money by using public |
| seriously hurt if you do not secure yourself by holding | | | | transportation, take some extra money with you in |
| on, or my get in arguments by falling into people. | | | | case you need to take a cab for emergencies. "Be |
| 13) Keep your valuables at a minimum, do not sit them | | | | Prepared" as the Boy Scout's Motto says. |