What is it?
For many people, the bus is a primary mode of transportation. This may be because they cannot afford a car or because they live in a major city where it is difficult to get around by car due to traffic, and the bus is simply easier. The success of catching a bus however, depends on a number of things, including knowing the bus schedule and bus routes. Luckily, it is incredibly easy to look up bus schedules and routes online, which should make it easy to catch the right bus on time!
How to
There are many different ways to find a bus route online. The best and perhaps easiest method is to go to the city’s transport website. For example, typing in “New York bus schedule” into Google brings you to the MTA page, which allows you to select which Borough you need to catch the bus from. If you click on Manhattan, for example, it gives you the different buses and allows you to see both their routes and schedules. Some transport websites also have journey planners, which allow you to type in your home address, your destination address, and what time you need to leave it. It will then give you a list of options, including the location where you need to catch the bus, what bus you need to catch, if you need to make any transfers, what stop you need to get off at, and what time the bus arrives. You can also use Google maps. Type in a starting address and destination address, and select the “get directions” option. Then, click on the bus icon for the mode of transportation. This will give you the bus number you need to catch, where to catch it, and when to get off. It will also show you the next bus, or you can insert a time that you need to leave.
Why do it?
There are many advantages to looking up bus routes online. While you could go to a bus station or train station to find a bus schedule, you may be missing a bus stop that is much closer to you. By looking up a bus schedule online, either on the main transport site for your city or on Google maps, you can find the closest bus stop to your house. You can also find out what time the bus leaves, and pick a time that is convenient for you. If you show up at a bus station without knowing the times, you may have to wait a while for your bus to show up. It’s also very reassuring to know exactly where and when your bus is leaving, which can be a relaxing feeling if you have an important event, such as a job interview, to attend.
Risks
The biggest problem of looking up the bus schedule online is that the websites rarely give real-time updates. Traffic, weather conditions, and other delays can affect the timing of your bus schedule. Bus stations generally update their boards with real-time estimations of bus arrivals and departures, and by looking up the bus schedule online, you could potentially be early or late. Bus routes online may also not account for construction or potential road closures, causing you to select a bus that has to take a detour and may take more time than the schedule suggests.
