I'm going to post in here even though I DO use public transportation, because the only reason I use it is because I have no other choice.
For regular doctor appointments, hospital visits, procedures, etc. We get them scheduled on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, because those are the weekdays my Mum has access to a car and she will drive me. If I want to go somewhere that's not within walking distance it's between those days or also Sunday, because she has the care then as well. But for Therapy or if I want to do things while my Mum is at work or on the days she doesn't have the car, I have to take the bus. I've noticed a few people saying they have trouble with the sounds on the bus, I have trouble with that sometimes too- But I have sound cancelling ear buds or headphones now so I always bring my music, most of the time I'm always listening to it.. But I also put it in my back pack just in case when my ears don't feel like listening to music right now. I've found it helps a lot.
Sometimes I just have to take the bus regardless. I do not take a new route the first time by myself, I have a really good friend who meets up with me and will take time out of her life to learn a new route with me a few times before I have to go at it alone. I've been known to get off the bus too early because I just can't handle it anymore, if I have the time I'll walk, if not I wait for the next and hope it's on time.
These are the reasons I don't like taking the bus:
- I have a cane, and sometimes I'm still the one standing or being scooted to the back of the bus, I don't like this- I know all about "Invisible illness" because I have a few, but sometimes it's obvious that they are fine and just being ignorant.
- People smell really bad- They either smell like really strong and unpleasant perfume, or they smell like they haven't showered or changed their gym clothing or brushed their teeth for weeks. The perfume makes my throat feel like it's closing up can trigger an asthma attack, the other ones it makes me gag. Both give me a headache and make me anxious.
- The close proximity of everyone, especially when someone sits beside you. Germs and feeling trapped are two major things for me. It's worse when I get on a bus that's not too full, and all of a sudden there's so many people that you have trouble getting to the door when it's your stop.
- They don't follow the schedule very well, there is one bus(the one I rely on most since all the routes changed this month) that is perpetually either 15 minutes early or 15 minutes late.. Either way, you watch a bus go by when you should have more than enough time, and then you wait longer than you should have to for the next, making it likely for you to be late. I leave with the intention of getting anywhere 30 minutes early to ensure I'm there on time at least, but ideally I like being there with 15 minutes to spare.
Those are the main ones.
The reasons I like the bus:
- I get a sense of independence, which right now, I'll take whenever I can get it.
- I get to see the city, some routes have really interesting things that I'd never have passed otherwise.