Once upon a time there was a girl who feared public transportation. What if the farebox is broken? What if my CharlieCard gets denied?! She even googled "how to" articles before finally taking a leap of faith and boarding for the first time. Here are 15 things those articles conveniently forgot to mention:
1. The T is an adventure
You never know what you're going to get. One day it's packed but the next day you could be one of eight people on the train. It might creak and squeak on the way to your destination, or it could be a relatively anticlimactic journey.
2. There are only certain people willing to make conversation
Most people will not make eye contact and only a select few smile politely. It's not uncommon to see someone listening to music, reading a book, or just generally keeping to themselves.
3. The drivers are usually really nice
They let me on for free once when my CharlieCard refused to work. Another time they claimed the farebox was “broken,” but I’m not so sure... God bless ‘em.
4. It’s germy
There is no way for me to know who sat in this seat or touched this pole before I did so I just carry hand sanitizer for safety purposes.
5. It’s often unreliable
During my first week of taking the T, it stopped unexpectedly on two occasions. Once for “scheduled maintenance” and the second time to prevent our train from arriving at the next station where another car had broken down. Psh...who needs to get to class on time, anyway? Here's a hint, I DO!
6. Interesting people ride the T
I met a fellow New Hampshirite on the T last week. After I heard his story it caused me to reevaluate some things in my life.
7. Do not automatically offer your seat to an older person, even if it feels like the right thing to do
Me: “Excuse me sir, would you like my seat?”
Older gentleman: “NO!!!”
At least I tried.
8. It gets old
Trying to find a comfortable way to stand while wearing a hefty backpack so that you can keep your balance but also not block the aisles. Sharing a pole with ten other people. Watching the T slowly chug away when you miss it by one minute.
9. Awkward or uncomfortable encounters are inevitable
A creepy guy will stare at you. You might see your new professor on the T, but whatever you do, DO NOT make eye contact.
10. There's a deadline for Boston students to buy a semester pass
Who could miss such an important date? Oh wait…
11. The 57 and 57A buses are faster
After taking the bus during my trial week of public transportation, I discovered they are speed demons that wait for no one. The drivers will slam the door in your face.
Take no prisoners.
12. It smells funny
Let's be real, that many people in such close proximity is bound to cause a stench like no other.
13. Keep your backpack out of the way so other people can sit down and stand comfortably
Backpack blockers are the worst!
14. The difference between inbound and outbound
Inbound: going towards the city
Outbound: heading away from the city
Be careful or you could end up at Boston College. This actually happened to a transfer student I met.
15. The OK Commuter App for the bus and the MBTA Apps for the T are incredibly helpful
Technology was invented to make our lives easier, take advantage of it.
