Catch a Bus

Whether you’re in a new city and taking their public transit for the first time or you’re preparing for your first cross-country bus trip, don’t worry. Catching a bus is easy once you understand the overall process. Once you know which bus you’re taking, look on the transit carrier’s website or call them to see if you need a ticket ahead of time, you pay when you get on, or you need a special bus pass to take the ride. Remember, if you’re ever worried about which bus stop you’re at or you don’t know if you’re getting on the right bus, just ask another rider or the bus driver. They’ll be more than happy to help you figure out if you’re at the right place.

Steps

Mapping out Your Route

1. Figure out where you’re going on a map and find your starting point. There are different types of buses that service different areas. To figure out the type of bus you need, pull up a map on your phone or online. Enter the location you’re going and figure out where it is in relation to your starting point.
2. Use local public transit if you’re going somewhere in your city. If your destination is in your city or town, use your local public transit system. Local public transit buses are the public city or village buses you likely see in your area if you don’t live in a rural community. These buses are cheap, usually $2-3, and they take people around your town or city along predetermined routes.
   • These are the buses you probably see driving around your town when you’re out and about.
   • Rural communities often don’t have public buses, but basically every other city, suburb, or large town will have public buses.
3. Opt for a regional transit service if you’re going to a nearby town or suburb. Regional buses are likely the best bet if you live in a city and you’re going to a suburb or vice versa. Regional transit buses typically travel back and forth between towns, villages, and suburbs. They typically cost $2-5 to ride. In most cities, the public transit buses only service the city and the regional transit buses take people out to the suburbs.
   • Depending on where you live, these buses will either look identical to your city’s public transit buses, or they’ll look slightly different.
   • If you live in a city, regional buses often leave from a major bus terminal in your downtown area. They may make a few stops along the way, but they won’t stop every few streets the same way city buses do.
4. Look for a long-distance carrier to take you to another city or region. Long-distance transit buses, like the Greyhound or Megabus, carry passengers from major cities or smaller towns to predetermined stops in another city or state. The cost of tickets for these buses depend on how far you’re travelling and how busy the bus carrier is. If you’re travelling to another city or a region more than 1 hour away, you probably want to catch a long-distance bus.
   • Generally speaking, if you’re travelling more than 1-2 hours outside of your home, you’ll need to pay for a long-distance carrier to take you there.
   • Tickets for these buses are sold individually, like airline tickets. You cannot simply wait for one of these buses to show up and then pay to get on.
   • A charter bus refers to a private bus rented out by a group to transport people. You do not need to worry about catching one of these.
5. Identify buses on the map or list of routes by their name and number. Buses that travel routes are labelled, typically by a number and the name of the route. When you’re looking for your bus, note the name of the bus on that route and jot down the number associated with it. If it helps, think of the names for the buses like names of highways. The number or name won’t tell you anything on its own, but it makes it easy to look up the location and path of the bus.{{greenbox:Tip: Most local transit buses use a name and a number for each bus route. For example, in Chicago the Clark Street bus is also known as the 22. On the road, you can see “22/Clark” printed on the screen at the top of the bus. Any numbers or names you see online will be listed on those buses.}}
   • If you see an X somewhere in the bus’s name, this is typically an express bus. This means that the bus has a limited number of stops. Do your best to avoid these unless you absolutely have to take one. They can be kind of unpredictable.
   • Some buses may only use numbers. This is often the case if the bus makes a lot of turns. If you’re encountering this when you’re looking for your bus, pull up a map instead of looking at a list of routes to spot the bus you need visually.
6. Find the bus that goes to your destination on a map or list of routes. Go on to the transit company’s website based on the type of bus you need. Look for a map or list of scheduled bus routes and find the bus that stops near your destination. Then, note the name and the number of this bus. Follow that bus’s route back towards your starting destination to see where you can catch this bus.
   • In some cases, you may need to take multiple buses to get where you’re going.
   • For a long-distance transit bus, there may be no map or predetermined route. Simply type in where you want to go, where you want to leave from, and the date you’re taking the trip. The company will pull up a list of options for you to take.
   • If you’re taking local public transit, you can typically find a hardcopy of the major bus routes at a train station or transit office.
7. Pull up a schedule for that route to see when that bus is available. You can find schedules for buses on the website that lists the routes and shows them on a map. Once you know the bus you need to take, look up the schedule for that specific bus to see how often the bus arrives at your stop. For regional and local transit, buses typically run every 10-45 minutes from 6 am to 11 pm. Double-check the operating times to see when the bus starts and stops running.
   • For a long-distance transit bus, it will list the time next to each individual bus when it departs and arrives. These buses do not arrive in intervals. You pay for a specific ride and you must take the specific bus you pay for.
   • For example, if you know a bus comes every 30 minutes starting at 6 am, you can show up before 7 am, 8 am, or any other hour to catch it until it stops running.
   • If you know your bus runs from 7 am to 10 pm and it runs every 20 minutes, show up any time between 7-10 pm. Then, you just wait for the bus to show up.
   • Avoid trying to catch the last scheduled bus. Buses occasionally run early and you may end up missing it if you cut it too close.

Paying the Bus Fare

1. Buy your ticket ahead of time to take a long-distance bus out of your town. If you’re taking a long-distance transit bus, you must pay for your ticket ahead of time. The easiest way to do this is to simply pay online, although you can often call a ticket service to pay via phone. Once you pay for your ticket, print it out and take it with you on the day of your trip.
   • You typically cannot pay to get on a long-distance transit bus the day of the ride. You must pay ahead of time.
   • You may be able to do this for some regional buses as well.
2. Bring cash with you if you don’t have a pass. You can pay to get on most local and regional transit buses as you’re getting on to the bus. Double-check the transit company’s website to make sure you can pay as you get on. Take exact change with you on the day you’re going to get on the bus.Template:Greenbox:'''Tip:''' You typically need to have exact change, so make sure you crack any larger bills ahead of time if you don’t have exact change.
   • On most city buses, you put the dollars and change into a small receptacle next to the driver. If you ever have any questions, just ask the driver. They’ll be able to help you out.
3. Load a transit card or bus pass if you plan on taking the bus regularly. Some local and regional transit companies offer bus passes or fare cards. If this is the case where you live, stop by a local transit office, bus station, or train station and use a booth to pay for a bus pass. If you’re confused about your local transit system or you don’t know what to buy, ask a worker at the transit center.
   • Depending on where you live, you may be able to buy these passes at a local pharmacy or corner store.
   • Fares are typically cheaper if you use a bus pass instead of paying cash.

Waiting at the Bus Stop and Getting On

1. Walk, grab a taxi, or take public transit to the bus stop. Estimate how much time it will take you to get to the bus stop. When it comes time to leave, either walk to the bus stop or catch a taxi. You can also take another form of public transit or a rideshare to get to the bus stop. Look for a sign attached to a tall pole to find your bus stop.
   • If your bus leaves from a bus terminal, there will be multiple stops outside. This may feel overwhelming, but you can tell where your bus is going to stop by reading the ticker or sign at each stop. You can always ask a transit worker as well.
   • If you aren’t sure how much time you need to travel to the bus stop, pull up a map online and use the directions function to get an estimate of how long it will take to get there.
2. Show up at least 15 minutes early to ensure you don’t miss the bus. Buses occasionally run early, and you may need to walk to a specific stop at a bus terminal once you arrive. To give yourself a cushion, show up at least 15 minutes before your bus is actually scheduled to leave to make sure you find the proper stop and get there before the bus does.
   • Read the sign next to your stop on the street or terminal to ensure you’re waiting at the correct stop.
   • If you’re catching a long-distance bus, it may tell you where to wait on the ticket. If it doesn’t, ask a clerk at the transit station where your specific bus will board.
3. Read the ticker or sign on the bus as it’s pulling up to spot your ride. As buses pull into the stop, look at the digital screen above the driver or on the side of the bus to see which bus is pulling in. For long-distance buses, there may be a piece of paper taped to the front window or the side of the bus listing the destination.
   • If you’re waiting on a bus and there is only one route that stops where you are, there may not be a ticker on the top of the bus.
   • You can always ask the driver of the bus as it pulls up which bus it is.
4. Stay out of the way and follow the line if one forms to get on. Step away from the curb as the bus pulls up to avoid being hit. Then, stay out of the doorway and wait for other people to get off the bus. If you’re waiting with other people, a line will naturally form behind the door. Get in line and wait for the people in front of you to get on the bus.{{greenbox:Tip: If this is your first time riding a bus, watch the people in front of you to see how they’re showing their pass or paying for the bus. This can make it easier to figure out what you need to show the driver or where you put your money in.}}
5. Show your pass or ticket to the driver if you bought it ahead of time. If you paid for the ticket ahead of time or you have a bus pass, get it out of your pocket as you’re waiting in line. As you walk up the steps or before you step on, show the ticket to the driver of the bus or the person taking your ticket. Otherwise, tap or insert your bus pass into the machine next to the driver.
   • If they stamp your ticket or give you a receipt, hold on to it.
   • You may need to show them your driver’s license or student ID if you’re taking a long-distance bus.
6. Pay for the bus once you get on if you’re paying as you go. If you’re paying as you get on, get your exact change out while you’re waiting in line. Either put your money in the collection machine next to the driver, or ask the driver where you pay. They’ll show you how to insert the money.
   • Bus fares are collected differently in every city and transit system, but you typically slide the bills into a small opening on a box next to the driver and you usually drop your coins into a coin slot near the top.

Following Bus-Riding Etiquette

1. Sit down in any seat outside of the handicap area. Most buses have dedicated handicap seats with a logo printed directly on them near the front of the bus. Grab any other seat and leave these open. Every seat is open except for these handicap seats, so it doesn’t necessarily matter where you sit.Template:Greenbox:'''Tip:''' Don’t worry about sitting close to the exit. Even if the bus gets packed, people will make space for you once you get up to exit the bus.
2. Stand away from the doors if all seats are taken. If there are no seats, you must stand. Walk into the middle of the aisle and grab the handle straps or bars at the top of the aisle to steady yourself as the bus moves. If someone gets up before you’ve reached your destination, you can take their seat if you’d like.
   • If you stand right in front of the doors, you’ll make it hard for other people to get on or off of the bus. Even if you see other people standing in the doorways, don’t do it. It’s considered rude.
3. Slide your backpack or bag in front of you or on your lap. If you’re bringing a bag with you, slide it front of you once you get on the bus. Either keep it on your chest while you stand or set it down on your lap while you sit. This is not only safer since you’ll see if someone is trying to steal out of your bag, but it’s the polite thing to do since your bag won’t be taking up a ton of space or bumping into people.
   • If you have multiple bags and you’re taking a regional bus, the driver will usually ask if anyone wants to stow a bag for the trip. If you have a big bag, stow it under the bus and just ask the driver to retrieve it when you get where you’re going.
   • Unless the bus is completely empty, do not set your bag down on a seat next to you.
4. Pull the string near the top of the window or press a button to get off. If you’re on regional or long-distance transit, the bus will just stop once it gets where it’s going. Otherwise, you must let the driver know you want to get off at least 1 stop before your destination. When the stop before your exit passes, pull the string hanging from the windows near the top (or ask another rider to pull it for you). On some busses, you press a button on the handle in the aisle. This signals the driver that you’re getting off at the next stop. Before the driver stops, make your way next to exit and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting off.
   • If the bus is kind of crowded, just ask other passengers to move over a little as you’re getting off. They’ll understand you’re leaving and make space for you.
   • If you’re getting off at a side door on a city bus and the door doesn’t open once the bus comes to a complete stop, just gently press on it. These doors typically stay closed unless someone pushes the handles to get off. You can always call out to the bus driver if the doors still don’t open.
5. Don’t walk in front of the bus after you get off. Once you get off, do not walk in front of the bus to cross the street. Bus drivers sit pretty high off of the ground and they may not see you as the doors close and they release the brake to continue with their route. Instead, wait for the bus to leave then patiently wait at the crosswalk if you have to cross the street.
   • If you had bags stowed, wait for the driver to get off, open the hatch, and retrieve your bags.

Tips

• When in doubt, ask a driver or another rider. Everyone has a first bus ride and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Most people will happily answer your questions!
• If you ever get on the wrong bus, walk up to the driver, explain your situation, and ask them what you should do. There may be another route you can take now, or they may give you directions to the correct stop when the bus stops next.

Warnings

• Don’t fiddle with your wallet or money while you’re on the bus. Pickpockets often ride public transit looking for victims, so just keep your money and wallet in your pocket while you’re on the bus.

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References

See also

• Buy Bus Pass (SUBE) in Buenos Aires
• Take a Bus in Buenos Aires
• Get Home when Your Bus Drives Past You
• Cope With Being Alone on a Bus Ride
• Use Matbus Services in the Fargo Moorehead Area
• Take a Bus in China
• Get on a Bus With Crutches
• Get a Seat in a Crowded Bus
• Take a Bus in London, Ontario
• Ride a Turkish Dolmus

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