Public transportation has countless benefits, and taking the bus is a fantastic way to get around town. It has a stigma attached to it, but there's no reason! Here are 10 great things about taking the bus.
- It's environmentally friendly.
It's no secret that taking the bus is green. Your vehicle won't pump toxic gasses into the air. Your carbon footprint, or your effect on the planet, will be significantly reduced just by taking the bus each day. - You'll save money on gas.
It doesn't matter how far you drive. If you take the bus, you will save money on gas. If you can rely on just taking the bus, you can also cut out car insurance and vehicle repairs, saving you literally thousands of dollars per year. - You’ll have no more parking hassles.
Nothing is worse than trying to find a parking spot in the morning or right after lunch. Everything is taken, and you may have to park several blocks away from your destination. There's a reason no one wanted that spot, usually because it's in a sketchy area or it's where birds congregate. Take the bus, and you'll never need a parking spot again. - You don't have to worry about traffic.
I'm not saying you'll never be in traffic again. Buses get caught in traffic, too, but you won't have to worry about it. You don't have to stress about the guy behind you following too close or that no one will allow you to merge. Just sit quietly and enjoy your peace. - It gives you more free time.
Since you don't have to concentrate on driving, you can do other things. You can read, catch up on the news, or do whatever you like to do when you’re just waiting around. You can even play a game on your phone. Free time is never a bad thing. - You'll notice your surroundings.
Most days we drive around, and we don't notice what's around us. An excellent restaurant could have popped up on your work route, or maybe there's a new movie theater. When you take the bus, you have a chance to visually explore your surroundings so you can physically do it later. - It's much safer.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were 6.1 million police-reported automobile accidents in the U.S. in 2014. That year, almost 33,000 people died in car accidents and another 2.3 million were injured or disabled. By riding the bus, you'll significantly decrease your chances of getting in an accident. And if you were to get in an accident on a bus, it's much more likely you would walk away without major injuries. - You may see new sights.
Missing your stop isn't a bad thing—turn it into an adventure! Since buses usually go all around the city, you'll see things you've never seen before. You may notice that a great thrift shop is right around the corner from where you work, or a beautiful park was hiding behind some buildings on the next block. - You’ll get more exercise.
Most bus stops require you to walk a little farther than you normally would. These extra steps mean you burn more calories than you would otherwise. There's nothing wrong with getting a little leisurely cardio before your ride to work. - No more skipping breakfast.
While on the bus, you have plenty of extra time to do whatever you want. Consider eating breakfast during this time. Not only is eating breakfast good for your body, studies show that people who regularly eat breakfast weigh less than those who do not. It increases your metabolism, so give breakfast on the bus a shot!
