I have had my fair share of port authority horror stories. I am not a city girl. I do not know what public transportation is. After getting on a bus in the wrong direction, missing my stop and being stuck with no return bus, and having to walk once a bus broke down, I can confidently say I understand the ups and downs of the Pittsburgh Port Authority. And who better to convey the mixed feeling of bus riding than our favorite Magic School bus!
Stage 1: Excitement!
You are going on an adventure, exploring our amazing city! Isn’t it great that we get free bussing??
Stage 2: Impatience…
Google maps says that the bus should have been here five minutes ago….
Stage 3: Doubt
Maybe you missed it? Maybe it isn’t running today?
Stage 4: Hesitation
Finally! The bus came! Now do you pay now or when you get off…???
Stage 5: Awkwardness.
Do I smile at the other people on the bus? Is it OK if I make goofy faces at the cute kid in front of me? Should I pretend to listen to person behind me who’s proclaiming the sky is falling?
Stage 6: Confusion
Wait.. crap… CRAP am I going the right way? Was I supposed to pass Wood street or get off? Why isn’t 6th Ave right after 5th… Wood isn’t even a number!
Stage 7: Sweating
OK I definitely do not know where I am…. Should I just get off now? I mean if I wait, the bus will just turn around at the end and then I can ride it back to campus…. Right?
Stage 8: Regret
I should never travel alone. Why did I think I could do this? I am going to die here. I don’t even know where here is.
Stage 9: Relief
Oh. Wait. I’m here. This is my stop… PRAISE THE SWEET LORD I AM SAFE.
Wow that was so easy, I can totally survive without a car, public transportation is the best!
*2 Hours Later*
Stage 10: Resolve
The next bus doesn’t come for 45 minutes? Screw that. I’m calling an Uber.
Photo Credit: