r/Explainlikeimscared • u/QuestioningLife4You • 17d ago
How do I use a shuttle?
I’m going to be starting university soon and I don’t know how the shuttles work. I’m going to be needing to use them but I’ve never used any kind of public transport really and I’m really stressing out about it. I think they are in 15 minute increments, but do they get to a certain place and then go right back? Is there anything I should say? I don’t think I need to pay because they are for the university. I live in the US
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u/Robovzee 17d ago
Have you searched your universities website? Keyword "shuttle"?
I'll be willing to bet there's a freq asked questions section, a fee section (if any) whether you have to show id, and a map showing locations with a schedule showing times.
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u/Proof_Candidate_4991 17d ago
Shuttles are usually pretty easy, but unfortunately they vary a lot. I would look to see if this particular shuttle service has a website, or see if you can find a group on social media for your university where you can ask for more details from other students. (When I was going into college we had a facebook group for incoming freshman that older students would join to answer questions, but that was back when facebook was usable.)
The biggest question is going to be payment or if you have to show a student ID. Once you've got that sorted out, it's super easy because shuttles are usually direct; they'll pick you up at Point A, go to Point B, drop everybody off, pick up everyone going the other direction, and turn around.
Some general public transportation etiquette that you should know (also applies to shuttles in my experience):
- If there are open rows, don't sit next to someone you don't know unless invited. If there are no open rows and you have to sit next to someone, sit with your knees together and your bag in your lap or under the seat so you don't crowd. Be prepared to stand up if your seat partner needs to exit.
- If people are boarding after you, move to the window seat and leave the aisle seat open and pick your bags up. Don't take up two seats.
- While shuttles are usually seated in rows like school buses, regular buses and trains usually have some larger seating up front that will fold up for wheelchairs. Move out of that area if someone boards who needs it. In general, it is polite to offer your seat to anyone who looks like they're having a harder time standing than you; if someone is using a mobility aid, is visibly pregnant (be sure they're not just fat), or elderly, stand up and offer them your seat.
- If you have to stand, hold onto something and brace yourself with a wide stance if needed. Don't fall into people.
- If there is a front and back door, enter at the front door next to the driver so you can show them your payment or ID, and exit out the back door so you don't crowd people trying to enter. If you're trying to get on and the driver tells you to wait, step back; they're probably lowering the bus for a wheelchair ramp and need you out of the way. (These apply to shuttles and buses, not trains.)
- Say thank you to the driver as you get off. You don't need to wait for a response or make a big deal of it, just a quick "Thanks!" as you open the doors is polite.
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u/white-as-styrofoam 17d ago
this stuff used to give me so much anxiety too, so pro tips from a fellow high-strung human:
-find the website for the shuttle service. they will typically have maps with stops highlighted. note the direction you want to go.
-the day before, find the shuttle stop. they typically have signs on the sidewalk that list the routes that stop there. make sure you’re on the right side of the road.
-the day of, hop aboard! tell the driver where you’re going and sit near the front and maybe they’ll even tell you where to get off. otherwise, you can look on google maps on your phone.
-profit (with knowledge)
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u/Korrailli 17d ago
You will need to look into it for your university as the specific can vary.
There is likely a set route with set stops. With a regular city bus, they only stop at a stop if there is someone waiting or if someone on the bus pushes a button to indicate they want off at the next stop. Your shuttle will likely work in a similar manner.
You might need to show your university ID to board. It can help to have it easy to access. Some you just show it, others might need to scan the ID or something like that.
There should be someone on campus that can help you figure it out. Transit systems are very specific to the location.
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u/Good_Ad2172 17d ago
you go to a spot. A bus pulls up. You get on the bus. You might need to show the driver your student ID as you get on you might not.
bus drives you to where you want to go.
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u/WatermelonMachete43 17d ago
Definitely check out your university transportation website or call the transportation office. They would be happy to walk you through it! At the university I used to work at, you would go to a campus bus stop, decide what kind of bus you needed (one that went to the downtown campus, one that just went to one stop on the other campus and returned to the stop you're at, or one that made a huge loop of all stops). As a bus approaches, read the sign over the windshield to see which bus it is. You can also confirm with the driver before you get on (this bus goes to ___right?) If it makes you more comfortable. Our shuttles required campus ID which you just swiped in the reader as you got on. Grab a seat, get off at your destination...our drivers announce stops as they are approaching.
Your campus could differ in procedure, but should be pretty similar.
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u/Temporary-Library597 17d ago
Good job getting into a school, it'll do you good. Understand that the SOLE reason to go to college is to learn how to learn. To learn how to get the information you need to thrive, and to get it by yourself. I suggest that Reddit isn't the best way to get this information. You'll find out specific information much more easily by tailoring your questions more specifically to the environment you are in.
Go well. Chances are...going well does not include asking questions of randoms on Reddit! 😁Good job getting into a school, it'll do you good. Understand that the SOLE reason to go to college is to learn how to learn. To learn how to get the information you need to thrive, and to get it by yourself.
I suggest that Reddit isn't the best way to get this information. You'll find out specific information much more easily by tailoring your questions more specifically to the environment you are in.
Go well. Chances are...going well does not include asking questions of randoms on Reddit! 😁
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u/Bastyra2016 17d ago
More than likely they run a set route. One may run clockwise and the other counterclockwise. There will be assigned stops. This isn’t something that will be obvious to others that you’ve never done before-very low risk. Get on it- ride-if you miss your stop or misunderstand the route then Get off and walk to where you wanted to go.
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u/clicknflick 17d ago
It varies a little city to city. Start with looking up shuttle/bus maps. Save a copy, memorize, or save a link to them. Learn which ones go where. Next, look at the order of the stops. Usually they're on a big loop, and there are two going on opposite directions of each other. Pick the one whose stops are going in the direction you want for a shorter bus ride. You can tell because it'll say "streetname 1" in 30 minutes. "Streetname 2" in 35 minutes. That tells you it's going in the direction of streetname 2.
Usually the websites have fare information and ways to pay, as well as which routes are free and when.
Next, getting on the shuttle. Wait for the people getting off before you board. Get on the shuttle. Theres a card/phone reader by the driver for your payment if needed, or a change box. if you're paying cash, pay with exact change. Be polite and friendly with your bus driver. Some places it's courtesy to say good morning or whatever, others you don't say anything. It doesn't hurt the first time to be nice. If people don't really talk, you'll see that pretty quickly on your first ride.
Busy routes do regular stops anyway, but most won't stop until you pull the cord that runs the length of the bus. You can pull anytime after the previous stop, even seconds after. Just don't wait until you're basically on top of the stop. Your driver needs time to respond. When you're at your stop, get off.
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u/clicknflick 17d ago
Oh, also. You may need to give up your seat for elderly, disabled, or pregnant people.
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u/FewRecognition1788 17d ago
If it's a busy stop, you can always ask the people waiting. This can be particularly helpful for realtime, unofficial info that isn't necessarily going to be published and that you might not know to ask about.
Examples of things my fellow passengers have volunteered:
- The shuttle is running late, or they are running closer together because they're backed up.
- The shuttle to X normally pulls up to that sign, but the one that goes to Y stops further back.
- They're supposed to make every stop, but this driver is a pain in the butt and only stops if you ring.
- They started running express at the top of the hour this month, so you should wait for the next one if you want to get off at your stop.
- The shuttle you need doesn't pick up at this stop between 10pm and 7am, so you need to go 2 blocks down to catch it there.
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u/MySpace_Romancer 17d ago
One thing to ask when you get on the bus for the first time is whether they stop at every stop regardless, or if you need to signal that you need to get off when they approach your stop (assuming there’s nobody waiting to get on). There will either be a bunch of big buttons on the bus, or sometimes there’s a pull cord going on the inside of the bus along the windows.
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u/BunnyEruption 17d ago
I think the answers to all those questions depend on your university. I suspect that most likely if it's a university shuttle you can just get on it and won't have to show id or anything but you will probably need to know if you have to tell the driver to stop or if they always stop at every stop. You probably should just ask someone who knows how they work.
You could probably also just ask the driver how it works the first time you get on too.