As someone who has to rely on public transportation, I can tell you its a pain in the ass. I gave up driving in 2007 due to health issues. Since then I have had experience with the bus systems in Orlando and Nashville.
Orlando: 30 days pass 50 bucks, most funding does not come from fares, but rather from the government at various levels. I often bicycled to work because it was faster! My last job there was 2 hours + on buses, 1 hour pedaling. Often it takes 2-3 buses to reach your destination as they cover 3 counties. Most buses are 1/2 hour to 1 hour so often your connecting bus left your pickup spot before you arrived so tick tock tick tock.
Nashville: 31 days pass 65 bucks, most funding from the government. Not cycling to work since the bus system has mostly shorter routes and most connecting buses are at the downtown terminal. Bus system mostly focused in 1 county.
Common traits: Many trouble makers using bus systems, arguments and fights can break out. Bus drives are harrassed and cajoled to let people ride for free. You see many tired people who use the bus system, for those with a long commute (Over an hour each way) the buses can suck up 4-5 hours of your time daily. Buses are cheap, BUT you pay in time.
Often bus drivers pass by as they didn't notice you. Now you will have to wait an additional amount of time. Buses are often late, so you may miss connecting busses. Bus routes are laid out to be efficient for the bus company and not for the passengers. One bus in Orlando actually did a 10 min. loop de loop wasting the time of all the passengers forced to ride threw the loop that's not their destination.
Side note: Here in Nashville I noticed a trend where mixed use compounds are popular to build. Office, Apt., Parking, Shopping, and eating establishments all cozied up. Rents are high, parking expensive, and the shopping and food are also expensive. BUT hey no transportation costs if you live, work, and shop in close proximity.
As someone who has to rely on public transportation, I can tell you its a pain in the ass. I gave up driving in 2007 due to health issues. Since then I have had experience with the bus systems in Orlando and Nashville.
Orlando: 30 days pass 50 bucks, most funding does not come from fares, but rather from the government at various levels. I often bicycled to work because it was faster! My last job there was 2 hours + on buses, 1 hour pedaling. Often it takes 2-3 buses to reach your destination as they cover 3 counties. Most buses are 1/2 hour to 1 hour so often your connecting bus left your pickup spot before you arrived so tick tock tick tock.
Nashville: 31 days pass 65 bucks, most funding from the government. Not cycling to work since the bus system has mostly shorter routes and most connecting buses are at the downtown terminal. Bus system mostly focused in 1 county.
Common traits: Many trouble makers using bus systems, arguments and fights can break out. Bus drives are harrassed and cajoled to let people ride for free. You see many tired people who use the bus system, for those with a long commute (Over an hour each way) the buses can suck up 4-5 hours of your time daily. Buses are cheap, BUT you pay in time.
Often bus drivers pass by as they didn't notice you. Now you will have to wait an additional amount of time. Buses are often late, so you may miss connecting busses. Bus routes are laid out to be efficient for the bus company and not for the passengers. One bus in Orlando actually did a 10 min. loop de loop wasting the time of all the passengers forced to ride threw the loop that's not their destination.
Side note: Here in Nashville I noticed a trend where mixed use compounds are popular to build. Office, Apt., Parking, Shopping, and eating establishments all cozied up. Rents are high, parking expensive, and the shopping and food are also expensive. BUT hey no transportation costs if you live, work, and shop in close proximity.