Which Do You Prefer-Subway Or Bus?

[Mitchell]

For those of us who live in the big cities, (New York, like me, Philly, DC, Chicago). My question is, if you use public transportation, which do you like better, subway or bus?

When I first moved here, my friend of 20 years who lives in my building, showed me the NYC subway system, and I've grown to love it. It is so.. fast.

Before yesterday, I had taken the NYC bus exactly one time since moving here. The bus from Forest Hills goes to 60th street and 3rd Ave in Manhattan, and I was meeting my dad at Bloomingdale's, which is a block from there. Otherwise, its been subways for me.

Yesterday was different. I saw my aunt and cousin for lunch. I met my aunt in our usual meeting place on 42nd and 8th ave, so I took the nice quick E Train, which takes 20 mins max from Forest Hills, and usually less. However, we had to go to my cousin's office, all the way downtown, and my aunt has a torn tendon in her knee that needs surgery, so she said she couldnt walk the subway steps. Thus, we were forced to have to take two buses downtown to my cousin's office in Lower Manhattan.

it seemed to take.. forever. The E train, for those of us who know it, goes all the way to Lower Manhattan, so we could have simply taken that. Instead of taking.. 15 minutes from 42nd and 8th to Lower Manhattan as it would have on the subway, it took the better part of an hour on the bus. My aunt is used to taking buses, because she lives in Northern NJ, and comes into the city nearly every day.

Even at times when I'm meeting my dad in Manhattan close to where the Forest Hills bus stops, and i mention I'll take the bus, his advice is always "Take the subway and walk a couple of blocks, its faster". After yesterday, I can see why.

Thoughts on this? What do other New Yorkers or big city people like better, subway or bus?

Mitch

 

[chicago]

I prefer the el, but sometimes it's just more convenient to take a bus if it's a short distance. Plus, busses tend to have more interesting creatures on it which is always fun.

Im pretty sure in Chicago, all busses, trains, and stations have to be wheelchair accessible, also, which means they must allow for people who cant walk up / down steps as well. Surprised New York hasn't done that yet.

 

[luvgirlsfeet]

i prefer the train whenever I go to a Red Sox or a Bruins game and even to my eye dr's appt i always take the train

 

[Mitchell]

Interesting, Mairead.

I love how you say "buses have interesting creatures on them". I probably havent taken enough buses in NY yet to judge, but., I can say that in my six months of taking the subway in NY, I've encountered many interesting "creatures" so to say. I've encountered, even in recent days or weeks, people who seem to sleep in an actual lying down position during the whole train ride, something I would try to never do for safety reasons.

 

[milagros317]

I use the subway in preference to a bus because it's faster.

 

[Mitchell]

I agree with you mils. After my experience with the bus on Thursday, it showed me just how much faster the subway really is as opposed to the bus.

 

[tummytickler69]

i didnt know there was a sandwich place called bus/ odd name

 

[Angel_2]

The subway has always been my choice to get around. It seems much faster then a bus which can take its time getting you from point A to point B

 

[kopfhorer]

Buses have to deal with traffic. Subways just zoom right on under it at 40 or 50 MPH.

 

[paracarl44]

It all comes down to where you are going.

For a short trip take the bus, but to get across the city you will find the subway faster.

 

[voided9]

I've never lived in a place that had them...crazy!

 

[Gothika]

when i lived in the city i always used the bus i have never used a subway tho

 

[Mitchell]

carl, it really depends on what your definition of "short trip" is. If the trip is really short, like a few blocks in Manhattan, say, I'd sooner walk it unless it is very severe weather or incredibly hot.

Gothika, I understand. Some people I have known hate (d) subways. My mom didnt take them from the time she was very young, citing safety, and I believe that one of my aunts has never taken a subway. She either takes cabs, walks, or takes buses.

 

[Jagermeistered]

I only see subways in movies.

 

[JoePTickle]

I've used subways in metro areas, and buses in mid-size communities like mine (where there are no subways).

 

[Dactylicious]

When I visited London last winter I took the Underground almost everywhere. I was told the buses were only good if you knew exactly where you were going, and I didn't, so the subway it was XD