It's almost time for a new semester! (I'm seriously counting down the days... Only another week to go and I will be back in my lovely dorm!) That means new classes, new friends, new classmates, new hallmates (I know a few new people will be moving into my hall, at least!).
I'm so excited! But I'll try to focus. Today, I will write about the CATA Bus System, which is the public bus system for Lansing and East Lansing. During the semesters, CATA operates "Spartan Service," which has routes all over campus.
One thing: I had never ridden a public bus before I got on campus (I know, I know). If you're like me, let me teach you how to request a stop on the bus.
Step 1: The bus announces the next stop. Most of the buses do this, but some don't. I once sat on a bus while it went through two routes because it never called out the stop (this was during the first week of classes, when I wasn't familiar with the East Campus Boarding Center at all). If in doubt, just ask the person sitting next to you. Or the bus driver (if they're friendly).
Step 2: Pull the yellow wire. I can't find a picture online. But basically, it's just a long yellow wire pressed against the window that winds around the entire bus. If it's winter and you're trapped in the middle of the bus, politely ask a person sitting down to pull it for you.
Step 3: Try to exit out the back of the bus. This is actually what a sign inside of the bus says. It just keeps the traffic down to a minimum. My biggest pet peeve is when riders are getting off the front of the bus (where people get on the bus), causing everyone outside of the bus to wait. And then the bus driver will just start moving even if you're not seated.
Also, I opted not to buy a bus pass when I first got on campus because, according to google maps, all of my classes were really close and easily walkable in under ten minutes. Okay, that might be true. I don't know about you, but I'm a really, really slow walker so Google's estimate of five minutes ends up being like fifteen minutes for me. Plus, I get lost easily.
So: If you're new to campus, buy a bus pass. If you're not going to explore campus a little before class starts (I know this semester, there isn't really any time to explore as classes start on Monday the 7th), buy a bus pass. You can always sell it later if you find that you have no trouble getting around campus (lucky you), or that you hate public transportation. (Honestly, I hate public transportation. But I hate walking even more, so I choose the lesser of two evils).
Bus passes!
You can buy them online on CATA's website. Under fixed-route passes, they have a few different options specifically for students. A semester pass for $50, a 10-ride card for $6, and a 31-day pass for $18. (Note: if you're paying the fare with change and you don't have a pass, you have to show your MSU ID and it's 60 cents). I caved on the first day of classes and bought a semester pass at the CATA station, but I'm not sure if they only sell them in August. You can also buy them in Akers Hall. But just order it online and have it sent to your dorm. I plan to for the second semester, as I'm getting to MSU on the 6th (Sunday), so that I can go straight to classes the next day. It's a great value if you rely solely on the bus. Just ride the bus at least 83 times, and it will be worth it. My friend bought the 10-ride card at first because she was riding her bike, so she kept it in her backpack in case it started raining or was too snowy for biking, but then later bought a semester pass because our friend sold it to her for cheap. The 31-day pass is good for the same reason, buying during the snowy/cold period if you don't plan on using the bus often/at all in the good weather.
One thing: TAKE CARE OF YOUR BUS PASS! So many of my friends misplaced their bus pass and I have no clue how. I carried around a Vera Bradley wristlet (not bragging, it's just something I received as an open house gift) and my ID and cards were all shoved in there. Also, if the bus isn't super necessary for you right at the beginning of the semester, if you wait a month or so, usually people will start selling them for $30-40.
Tips for riding the bus:
1) If in doubt, ask the driver! If you don't know if the bus you're riding will take you to Wells Hall (I think only the 30 South/East, 25 North Harrison, and the 39 University Village buses do that) or wherever, just ask the driver. Most of them are nice. Even if they're not, they will begrudgingly answer you.
2) Thank the driver. It's so rude to just ignore the driver. On-campus, most of the drivers work the same route everyday. So they just might remember you, especially if you're riding the same bus every day/other day. And if you're running late and running to the bus and it's already their takeoff time, they could totally just pull out without waiting for you. Good manners, people!
3) PLEASE DON'T SIT BY ME. I guess this isn't really a tip. But if you see me on the 30/31 bus route, don't sit by me when there are plenty of other seats (with no people next to them!). That is one of the reasons I hate public transportation: I hate sitting by strangers. It doesn't matter if they try to converse with me or not, it's just annoying.
4) If you're paying (aka not using a pass), please, for everyone's sake, have your money and ID ready. Or if you're using a pass, have your pass ready. Nothing gets everyone aggravated more than waiting for someone to dig through their bag for their ID and sixty cents. Especially if that someone had been standing at the bus stop for a few minutes. Along that same line, unless you can multitask effectively, please don't use your phone when you're getting on. Or on the bus, unless you can talk q-u-i-e-t-l-y.
Hm... I guess that's all. Other than a quick rundown of the routes! If you're new to campus and trying to plan out your schedule (what bus should I take? Where should I go? When will the bus come?), feel free to e-mail me your class locations and I'll be glad to help you. I spent a lot of time riding the bus around for fun. I know most of the stops on most of the routes, and those that I don't know, I'll find out for you. rakuzen.lee [at] gmail dot com.
Something to know (I'm mostly familiar with the 30/31 bus route because that's what I ride the most). Buses 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 all stop at the CATA station. So if you're on the 30 bus and you need to be on the 33 bus, if you get off at the CATA station then you can wait for the 33 bus to come.
30 bus: There are two buses: one that goes to South Neighborhood, and one that goes to East Neighborhood. Make sure that you look at the writing to make sure that you're not going to East instead of South. Obviously, if you're starting out at East Neighborhood you won't really have this problem. But if you're getting on at the CATA station, then be careful!
31 bus: Goes to Brody Neighborhood and East Neighborhood.
32 bus: Goes to the Commuter Lot. I haven't ridden it before though... Maybe that's what I'll do next semester.
33 bus: West Circle Neighborhood and South Neighborhood.
The 30/31 bus route consists of four buses that do this: Bus 31 Brody-bound starts at East Neighborhood, makes it to the destination of Brody Neighborhood, changes routes to 31 East Neighborhood. When the bus (same bus!) reaches East, it changes to 30 South, then when it reaches South Neighborhood, it changes to 30 East. When it goes back to East, it changes to 31 Brody and starts the route all over again. So be careful! Make sure you get off. This is where I ended up on the bus for over half an hour because it had to cycle through the routes.
More posts coming~! Mostly just general information ones.
`Rakuzen
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