How to ride the bus

Where to sit? There's an art to sitting on the bus that can be learned only with time. If there are open benches, the answer is easy, although you still have a choice: Sit closest to the window if you don't want someone clambering over you for a seat, or sit on the aisle so you can get up and out more easily when your stop comes.

Only single seats open? Decide whom you'd most like to sit with and plop yourself down. Some people put their bag on the open seat beside them and carefully avoid eye contact with people boarding the bus. When dealing with these passive-aggressive types, just asking them politely to move their stuff will usually do the trick. Or you can just perch on the edge of the seat until they move their things with a sigh.

Sometimes you have to stand. Move toward the back, so you can be in position to grab a seat when one opens. And remember that most seats near the front are reserved for older or disabled passengers. If you do sit down, you will be asked to move if a needy passenger climbs aboard (but hey, don't wait until you're asked).

Next stops

What if something scary happens? Buses can take in a wide range of social types, classes and temperaments, and some awkward moments can arise. I once got off a bus because a loud argument between passengers caused the driver to repeatedly park the bus and intervene. I just waited 15 minutes for the next bus. In almost all cases, though, drivers are in control and will move quickly to evict unruly passengers.

If someone sitting next to you acts inappropriately or just makes you uncomfortable, get up and move to another part of the bus. If the behavior persists, report it to the driver.

How do you transfer? If you are going to need to switch to another bus, ask the driver for a transfer when you first board. In most cases, these are good for a set time period (usually an hour) from when you first board. When you board your next bus, show the transfer to the driver.

I had a morning transfer at a transit station -- with a 15-minute gap between buses. Transfers can quickly add time to a trip and are often cited as a reason not to ride. I took it as a chance to get my morning coffee.

How do you get off? Most buses have a cable that runs above each row of windows. Pull the cable a block before your stop to let the driver know you want to disembark.

If it's your first time and you're unfamiliar with the route, grab a map on your way into the bus and find the two previous stops so you can gauge when your exit is coming. Drivers typically announce major stops and intersections. If you're still nervous, tell the driver when you board which stop you are looking for, and try to sit near the front of the bus. If it's not too busy, they'll usually try to help.

Be sure you know the rules of the bus you're on. Some bus systems require that riders exit at the back. And once you're off, don't cross the street until the bus has pulled away.

Once you've learned the ropes

Bus riding, like many things in life, can seem mysterious at first -- but it's not so hard after you've done it once or twice. Once you're a regular, you may even know more than your driver, who may move between routes.

One predawn morning, I had my head buried in a book on the first leg of my morning ride. When I looked up, I realized we weren't on the usual street. I made my way to the front of the bus and asked the driver what was up.

He admitted he was filling in for someone, and, well, he was lost. I guided him back to the right road and on into the station.

Updated Aug. 13, 2008

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