Figuring Out Public Transportation: Buses

Riding a public bus in a foreign country is often a much more intimidating activity than taking the subway, primarily because there are usually fewer resources in English for buses. Buses typically have more stops than subways and so, often, the timetables are a confusing mess of foreign place names and stops. Sometimes just discovering which bus number will get you where you’re going can be a trial. On the other hand, sometimes a public bus is just about the only way to get from point A to point B, and so they are a necessary evil.

The thing to keep in mind when riding a bus is that you can always get off and they run in both directions. This information has helped me from losing my head several times when I feared I would end up stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way to communicate or find myself. The great thing is that you can always at least get back to where you started – worst case scenario.

Tickets:
Like subways, buses require tickets and, depending on the city, there are a variety of ways that tickets are dispensed. Unlike subways, bus tickets are often sold on the actual bus, from a driver or ticket taker that collects fares as or after you board. In other cities, buses operate on combined tickets with metros and trams and have special stamp boxes into which you insert your pre-purchased ticket for validation once you get on.

You’ve got to find out which system your city buses are using before you set out – either check a guidebook, look around online or just punch up the guts to ask a stranger at the bus stop.

Fares:
The other problem with buses is that, in some cities, like Dublin, Ireland, buses operate on a zone fare, meaning you pay different fares based on how far along the bus’ route you’re going. It is almost always the case with this system that you will buy your ticket on board by indicating where you’re headed.

You should always try to have exact change when boarding a bus, because a lot of times, change isn’t given for bus fares paid on board.

Paying your fare:
If you do have to pay the fare on board, you will likely be required to board the bus through its front door and to insert either coins or bills into a small machine near the driver’s seat. Usually when this happens, you’ll need to wait for your money to be process and for a slip/ticket/receipt to be issued, so don’t just throw the money in and run to find a seat!

In the case that a ticket agent operates on the bus, wait to be approached and offer your fare then (unless you see others lining up to pay, in which case follow suit).

Finding your stop:
On older buses, you might be relying on the driver to make an announcement for each stop, so you’ll have to listen carefully to hear your stop. You can’t always rely on counting the number of stops, because in some places, buses don’t stop at every bus stop if there are no waiting passengers. If you are really nervous, carry a map and follow your route on the map, checking street signs or major landmarks as you go.

Getting off:
On most buses, you’ll need to signal the driver for a stop. This is usually done in one of two ways: a string pulley or a button. Take a look around and watch others getting off to find out which system is in place. Don’t use the signal too early, as you will risk stopping at a preceding stop and making the driver grumpy when no one gets off. Instead, wait until right before the stop. Usually, someone else will trigger the signal before you do!