What's the longest you've had to wait for a bus?

Waiting for the bus - Stranded at the bus stop (from Beat Takeshi's "Sonatine")
April 9, 2007 12:32pm CST
Here in the UK, the public transport system is a nightmare for passengers, and very shoddily run! Where one company has sole rights to a busy route, they often charge far too much, and run too few buses at peak travel times, so after hours of waiting for a bus which is late, three completely (often illegally) over-full buses will sail past, leaving the growing queue of commuters hopping mad and very late! So what's the public transport like in your area/country? Is it reasonably priced, clean and on time? What's the worst journey you've ever made on public transport? Vent your gripes and stories here:-)
2 responses
@Poison_Girl (4150)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I think the cost for a bus ride here during peak hours is fairly reasonable. I often complain about the bus that runs by me, though. It only goes by about once an hour and it doesn't run on Sundays. Makes it kinda difficult to run errands on Sunday! I suppose I can walk up to the other bus stop to catch the other bus that runs through my area, but I usually don't feel like it. LOL My biggest complaint about the bus system is how long it takes to get somewhere that normally wouldn't take so long when driving. Like, for example, for me to get to work, it takes about 2 hours when it would normally take about half an hour to drive there. And then it's another two hours to get home. I'm gone about 12 1/2 hours everyday all because of the bus. It's pretty frustrating. And I suppose they're somewhat clean. They usually stink, though. But I guess that's expected.
1 person likes this
16 Apr 07
Thanks for your response PoisonGirl. It sounds like the hassles inherant in bus travel apply worldwide! Still, as you didn't mention bad timekeeping or overcrowded buses, I can confidently presume that the service where you are is more reliable and comfortable than here in the UK! I guess that public transport does take much longer than the car, but at least you can pat yourself on the back that you're doing your bit for the environment! Good on you, and all the best :-)
• United States
21 Apr 07
Yeah, I suppose they are pretty reliable and not so overcrowded. Except that I had to actually stand on the bus on my way home the other day because there were literally no more seats. That's the first time that's happened to me personally, though. And yes, I do give myself a pat on the back because I'm doing my bit for the earth AND the traffic. haha
1 person likes this
@lols189 (4742)
10 Apr 07
i am in UK too and yes you are right the public transport system is annoying. it is exactly the same in my city (Liverpool) as it is in your city
1 person likes this
10 Apr 07
I'm sorry to hear that, although not really surprised. I think that Liverpool and Manchester get about the same level of public transport as each other - am I right in thinking that you didn't get the money through from the government for your tram system either? I used to work for Metrolink's bid team for the tram extension, and tram running in Manchester, before it became obvious that dear old Gordy had used the money he'd promised us for the trams, to fund Tony's war. When I was working there, one of our members of staff was working on the Liverpool bid, and moved to the Liverpool offices, because as far as they knew, the bid had been won there, and they were all set to get it "on track"! It sounds like you've been messed around even more than we were here. Still, the only thing you can trust politicians to do is to break their promises (when it comes to anywhere north of the Watford Gap anyway!).