One of the biggest changes that have come with independence for me has been experiencing public transportation. There are many pros and cons to public transportation.
Pros:
- You can get anywhere you want to go on $3.00
- You don't have to rely on anyone (asking for rides, borrowing cars etc).
- No need to pay for gas
- It creates a sense of accomplishment and independence
- It gets easier the longer your do it
Cons
- You have to carry everything with you (no car to serve as your own personal locker)
- You have to dress for being outside/ traveling (If I was going to an interview I'd want to wear dress pants and a blazer but that doesn't work well with this blazing hot weather!)
- It takes a lot longer than driving
- You have to always remember to have change
- It can be confusing and scary (What if I miss my bus? Miss my stop? The bus is late?)
Now, there definitely can be more cons than pros to public transportation but if you get organized, you shouldn't have a problem.
Here are some tips to make your commute go well:
- Plan ahead: I went online to the TTC (Toronto Transportation Commission) website to plan my route. It was easy to plug in the addresses and have a route planned for me
- Leave early (It's better to wait a couple minutes for your bus than to miss it!)
- Wear layers
- Find a stylish but big bag for changes of shoes and clothes
- Bring a book to keep you busy
- Plan a time once a week when you will go get change or tokens for the week so that you never find yourself with ten minutes before you have to leave and zero change
Public transportation can be frustrating but it can also be a great way to get around without having to worry about things like car accidents, gas prices, parking prices and the like. Learn the routes and you'll be zooming around your city in no time!
From the desk of:
Taylor Brown
Subway Sister, Streetcar Survivor, Bus Riding Beauty
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