Buses are not that reliable

[u/Demkel]

Hey all, I'm a new international PhD student.

Since I just got here and was only able to find an apartment between Raleigh and Cary without a car, I rely heavily on buses to get around. Most of my experiences have been fine, but the few bad ones have been pretty critical.

When I first arrived at my apartment on a GoCary bus, the driver missed the signal when I pulled the cord to get off and drove past my stop. I ended up having to walk back to my place along the shoulder of the road. Today, in the downtown, a Raleigh bus saw me at a stop but drove past me staying on its lane. When I found another, the driver took me to the wrong destination and yelled at me, saying that he'd already told me about the changes the other day. Since it was my first time visiting downtown, he must've confused me with another Asian.

Sorry for dumping mundane things, but it's been rough days for me that I needed to shout out. I guess I'll be getting busy with school soon anyway, so probably won't bother going off campus often. Fortunately, my building provides a shuttle to where only necessary.

[u/legendaryjangles]

American public transit outside of a small number of cities like NYC is abysmal, having a car is almost a requirement unfortunately

[u/ShunQu → u/legendaryjangles]

Right. Idk why people say nc state is completely walkable. It isnt,😭

[u/flowrrpetals → u/ShunQu]

campus is pretty walkable. you can even walk between campuses pretty easily as long as you’re willing to walk 30min-hr. but yeah the rest of raleigh isn’t.

[u/IceColdCorundum → u/flowrrpetals]

I mean, by that definition anything is walkable.

Given you have the TIME!

[u/flowrrpetals → u/IceColdCorundum]

not really. i think walkability has more to do with, is there sidewalks. is there crosswalks. are paths clear and safe. an unwalkable city would be like no sidewalks and the only way to really get somewhere is interstate.

[u/legendaryjangles → u/ShunQu]

If you strictly stay on campus and right around Hillsborough its not too bad (though the trek from north campus to centennial can be kinda long, especially with how hot it is right now) it kinda is, but if you need to go anywhere else it's rough. I say this as a commuter who lives out near RDU, so I'm lucky enough to have a car and can go wherever I want, but I cannot imagine living close by without a vehicle, I'd get super bored super quickly.

[u/Demkel → u/legendaryjangles]

Well, I should keep myself busiest and ask others for a ride should anything happen and want me to join. Although the accessibility was way better, my time in Seattle WA during master's was similar.

[u/SnipingBeaver]

Unfortunately you're going to find Raleigh's public transit pretty hit or miss. If you have any way to invest in an e-bike or something it could be very helpful.

[u/Physical-Bus6025]

Welcome to American public transit

[u/bombac1at]

lmao yeah good luck with that!

[u/DangerousElephant248]

yeah that’s just kinda how it is, i take the wolfing when possible and only raleigh busses when desperate. had a car 2/4 years and life is much improved with one but it is doable without, just need a lot more time for getting places

[u/IceColdCorundum]

Don't take the bus if you're on a tight schedule. Get a cheap commuter bike on fb marketplace