If I am honest I am not a fan of bus travel but due to recent events I have found myself back on the buses and I have to admit it is not as bad as I remember, but then I haven’t had to fight for the space for a pushchair as I have made Sebby walk, which does have its own problems.
Where we live is classed as semi-rural and we have farms and Canford Heath on our doorstep, but it also means we do not have a regular bus service and they often don’t actually go to where I need to go, which is frustrating but bus travel does have some good points.
The Good
- This kids love it – seeing Sebby’s excitement as the bus approaches makes me smile
https://www.instagram.com/p/BD5QktyuBnZ/?taken-by=are_we_nearly_there_yet_
- Being sat high up means you can see so much more, plus I don’t have to concentrate on driving so can play with the kids
- It is cheaper to take the bus than it is to take the car and pay for parking as the kids still travel free (just)
- The Bus Drivers are all lovely and talk to the kids, wave to Sebby etc which makes their day
The Bad
- The kids are not strapped in and Sebby fell of the seat, getting himself a black eye after the bus stopped suddenly
- You are bound to a set timetable so are forever clock watching
- The buses don’t go where I need to go e.g. Sebby’s swimming lesson is a ten minute drive from my house, however I would have to get two buses to get there which would take over an hour because nothing runs in that direction. Thank you Emma from With Happy Hearts for the lift today.
- We can’t turn the radio up and sing our favourite songs out loud
- The bus seems to send Sebastian to sleep which is all well and good but I have had to carry him home, plus shopping twice now despite fighting to keep him awake
- We can’t turn the radio up and sing our favourite songs out loud
- The “Twirly Club!” – those with a bus pass but cannot use it until after 9.30am “Am I too early?” – If you catch that first bus of the day you are packed in like sardines by the third stop.
- The walk to and from the bus stop – it never quite gets you where you want to go
- They have a tendency to be late!
The Ugly
- You have to share the bus with other passengers and who knows what you are going to get. Most are friendly and chatty, but there is always one. There is a regular gentleman on our bus route to Poole who detests children and is very vocal about it!
- Poor personal hygiene – need I say more
It is fair to say we have had some challenges and my friends have been fabulous offering us lifts to the hard to get to places since my car died. We are going to make the best of going on the bus and next week, subject to the weather, I am going to take Sebby on an open top bus and see the sights. Lets hope he doesn’t fall asleep!
I am a big bus/coach fan (not an anorak!!), but can appreciate your “bad” and “ugly” comments. I have to use the bus as I don’t have a car anymore, and short bus journeys can be awful – especially after 9am near me when the “trolley dollies” get on with their free bus passes.
Long bus or coach journeys are normally fantastic and you get to see a lot of the scenery to enjoy and the kids love it – numberplate games, colour of cars games – and mine love the HGVs
I didn’t have a car for a long time when Isaac and Eliza were babies and the number of times the bus wouldn’t let me on as too many buggies on it already was a nightmare. I haven’t done a long bus journey, will have to give it a try
We never had a car when I was younger and I can still remember the bus stopping suddenly and my little brother going flying down the bus.
My husband and I have one car between us so I’ve done my fair share of bus journeys! Fortunately the bus service in Upton is quite regular and we can get into Poole within about 15-20 mins. We can even get the bus to Farmer Palmers from here so it can be really useful however the fact you’re constantly clock watching! I used to hate getting on with a buggy though, especially when Elliot was a baby and I had a big silver cross pushchair. It’s much easier now we don’t need the buggy!
It costs me loads to get to farmer palmers – nearly £8 last time I tried
It costs a fiver from Upton and it’s literally 4 stops down the road! So expensive x
Buses here are just horresnsdous. They are few and far between, thanks to being rural like you and also so, so expensive!
I hope you have a car sorted soon, at least the kids think it’s an adventure. I don’t understand why buses don’t have compulsory seat belts yet x
Aw, it seems that the bad outweighs the good but I’m glad that you’re looking for the positives! I actually used to take the bus to work but now that it’s been nice out, I’ve been doing a lot of walking and I must admit – I don’t miss the bus, or the people on there (for personal hygiene reasons!)
Your kiddies must love sitting up on the top deck, I know I do! It makes me feel important, haha
After a long time I too did bus journey when my car was out of action. They have come along way with wifi in them too!!
Ours don’t have wifi lol
Ahh! We rely on buses as neither my fella or I drive. Locally it isn’t too bad but going further is a nightmare….The worst journey is for hospital checkups…. 2 buses and 2 hours to get there but if we drove it would be about 40 minutes. lol
I hope the car gets fixed soon x
I do keep thinking about you and your unfortunate situation. I take the children on the bus for a fun outing but I would hate to do it regularly with them for all of the reasons you have stated above. My Mum travels to work on the bus everyday and said that one poor Mum was on the bus with twin toddlers asleep in their buggy. A disabled person got on with a wheelchair and the driver made the Mum wake the twins and fold her buggy so the wheelchair could use the space. Not ideal 🙁
Oh bless you! Last year I took the bus a few times after not setting foot on one for years, and it was a bit of a fun adventure on the first day but a bit of a pain by the third, when I realised I couldn’t always get exactly where I needed and was timetable watching so I can empathise! I suppose on the upside, it means more walking so this is better for fitness and at least when you do get your car back you will feel so much appreciation for it, as it is easy to take it for granted when it is just ‘there’. I hope your remaining bus days aren’t too taxing.
I’m not the biggest fan of driving and I will walk or take public transport where possible. However it isn’t always convenient or cost effective. I do wish there were straps on the bus as my son has landed on the floor a couple of times!
I haven’t been on a bus for years, but my daughters are always using them while away at uni and have had very mixed experiences over the years. I hope the car situation is sorted out soon x
We love the odd bus journey – (I do mean odd!!) but just could not be without my car. I hope you get sorted soon. Kaz x
I love travelling on a bus, always have ever since I was a child x
Being in London we take the bus loads, but I still agree with all of your points, ours may run more often but some days it would be nicer to be in our own car!
I’m yet to take my daughter on a bus and can’t quite make up my mind whether it will be good or not! Luckily when I do it will be entirely by choice (unless there’s some unforeseen problem!), so should be stress-free in theory…
I quite enjoy travelling by bus, but I find the cost offputting. I rarely pay for parking because I tend to know where I can park to avoid that so car travel only costs petrol on top of my fixed costs. The bus costs me £2+ each way and that’s before I pay for H. Hope you get the car thing sorted soon.
We have a great bus service where I live which is handy as I don’t drive so use it fairly regularly. I’m so surprised that they don’t provide seat belts though.
I am not a fan of public transport – it was fun when I was a little kid, with the conductors and their machines turning out the tickets for 10p, and of course in school with all your mates, but as an adult – ugh, no! And not with a baby in a buggy either – no one helps! Hope you get a car sooner rather than later.
We don’t always not help – I help somebody get on or off, or up/down the stairs on the bridge at my local train station. Maybe some people can’t remember their own problems, but I can and try to help when possible – even with my walking stick at the moment!!! There are some nice peole out there – really!