Bus Terminology #1

I find myself to be the most unintelligible person at times. I can't help it that my brain works differently than everyone else. I was that annoying child growing up, that always asked, "what is that?" or "why?" My parents can attest to this. And like I said, if my brain doesn't understand it, it isn't it. It's just a something, but definitely not it. Laugh all you like, but I honestly had no idea what any of these things were when I started riding the B-U-S. But now, thanks to all of my annoying questions, and the perfectly annoyed drivers, we are pretty much old friends now.

TERMINOLOGY:

1) Stop (noun): The place where buses may or may not actually stop. These specific areas are identified by a small blue bus stop sign thingy on top of a pole. They have the bus system insignia on them, as well as numbers of the buses that stop at each particular stop. Warning: If there is no one at the stop when the bus approaches, the bus will not stop there. Not that I thought that or anything...

2) End of the line: The end of the line refers to the last stop of the bus or train route. The bus will not go further than this, they will simply turn around and do their route again, backwards. Not literally of course.

3) Transfer
(verb): To go from one bus or train, to another bus or train. I transferred from the Blue Line Southbound to the 215 bus going Northbound.

(noun): A ticket, received on a bus after you have paid the fare. This transfer indicates a time limit by which you must use the transfer in. You can only use transfers once. You'll be disappointed if you try to use it more than this.

4) Fare: This is a monetary unit which you pay before you can ride a bus or train. This is different from the one spelled F-A-I-R, which can mean a huge, fun, carnival with lots of rides and awesomely weird food, which I though the driver meant before. Obviously, I was a bit confused.

5) Stop Request: In every bus and train there are cable like ropes that run through the bus. Pulling on this cable will light a sign in the front near the bus driver that reads, "Stop Requesting." It is also accompanied by a really annoying buzzer sound. This will signal to the driver that he/she needs to stop at the following stop, wherever that may be. Be careful not to pull the cable too early, or you may be let off at the wrong stop. Stop Requests need to be timed perfectly. Warning: everyone on the bus knows exactly which stop they are getting off on, so if you don't you will look like a dunce! If you are unsure, talk to the bus driver and bribe them with candy to let you off at the right place. Works like a charm. ;)

That's all for now. Be good, and travel safely.