Basic Bus Etiquette
I have been riding the bus to and from work for awhile now and I’ve noticed a few things… some (not all) people have forgotten common courtesy on the bus!
Here is some basic bus etiquette:
- Leave the seat next to you open for other riders. (It’s kind of rude to put your briefcase, purse or pile of papers on the adjacent seat when the bus is full.) Also, if there are 2 seats in your row, sit next to the window so the seat next to you is available. If you really want to sit by yourself go toward the back of the bus, it’s more likely that the seat next to you will remain open.
- If the bus is full and an elderly person or someone with a cane or walker gets on the bus and you are sitting toward the front of the bus, get up and offer your seat to that person. (Duh!)
- When a lot of people are exiting the bus at the same stop, it works just like an airplane: row 1 exits first, row 2 exits second and so forth. If you are sitting at the back of the bus please don’t rush ahead of everyone bonking them with your briefcase just so you can get off first.
- Please don’t talk on your cell phone while on the bus. We really don’t want to hear about your sales plan, how your date was last night, what you are having for dinner tonight, or what a jerk you you think your boss is.
- Finally, it’s okay to say good morning and thank you to your bus driver. It’s also okay to say hello to the person sitting next to you.
I wanted to take this opportunity to give a shout out to Golden Gate Transit whose drivers are friendly and the buses are always on time, always clean and always a comfy temperature. Thank you!
How to behave on public transportation by @SFist
This could easily apply to Metro North railroad here in the New York City ‘burbs… though the “good morning” thing probably wouldn’t go over too well 🙂
thanks for the Rant…now I don’t have to do it! I like polite people much better~
You forgot one! This is a very important rule for riding the bus. . . . Make sure you wear some type of deoderant. The buses here in New Orleans tend to get quite filled with passengers. One smelly passenger can ruin the journey for everyone around them. So please, try to remember this little rule of the road.
Sorry for the rant.
Sprinkles – good point. Not usually an issue on the commuter bus I take but well aware of the smells on the buses within the city. 🙂
A 20 year old woman holding a one year old child demanded I as a 63 year old woman get up from my seat to give it to her. It was a crowded bus. There were many other much younger males on the bus too.
Should I demand I keep my seat? I felt the young woman was wrong to try and take my seat?
JoAnn – I’m so sorry that happened to you. Crowded buses are a challenge. Wish the younger folks would remember the etiquette of days gone by.