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The Buff Bus. It’s been my main mode of transportation to and from campus for the entirety of my college career, and for the most part it’s been a great mode of transportation: reliable, quick and easy.
However, as finals approach, deadlines loom and temperatures drop, more and more folks are finding themselves cramming into this beloved method of transportation. In this hectic time of the semester, riding the Buff Bus can become a hellacious experience – comparable only to that of going to the airport during the holidays.
So, let’s take a little time and try to remember to be courteous to each other, and keep in mind these tips on how to make riding the Buff Bus a more pleasant experience for everyone.
1. Before you board, wait for other students to get off the bus: This seems like common knowledge and like it should be an easy rule to follow. Yet somehow, when we are all freezing at 6 p.m. and we’ve already been waiting 30 minutes for the bus, it can be easy to forget. But as eager as you are to be warm and seated on the bus – please keep in mind your fellow classmates, who are just as eager to get off at their destination.
2. When the bus is crowded, your bag doesn’t deserve a seat: If the bus is empty, and there are many open seats, then by all means let your backpack ride shotgun. But, as the bus starts to fill up, move your bag to the ground or your lap – your human companions should always deserve more consideration than your textbooks. Please don’t make me hover awkwardly to the side of you until you recognize that your bag is taking up a space, and really don’t make me ask you to move your bag. Be conscientious of your fellow passengers.
3. I don’t want to hear your music or listen to your phone conversation: I don’t mind you listening to your iPod, but please keep the volume down so you’re the only one hearing it. I have pretty eclectic music tastes myself, so I can appreciate a wide range, but sometimes when I’m heading to a test, I really don’t want Justin Bieber distracting me. Similarly, if you’re all crammed in tightly on the bus, please hold your cell phone conversation until you’re home – it’s only a 15-minute ride at most, and you can always text in the meanwhile.
4. Don’t prop your feet up on a seat: This is a hard one for me, as I like propping my legs. However, think of it this way – you shouldn’t put your feet up on the furniture in a house that isn’t yours, and the Buff Bus isn’t yours either. Propping your feet up adds to the wear and tear of the bus, meaning that more of my student fee money is going toward replacement parts. It also means, that when I get in and you do bother to put your feet down, I have to decide if I want to sit there and risk getting whatever nastiness that was on the bottom of your shoes, on my jeans.
5. If the bus is waiting for you, run, don’t saunter: If I’m sitting on the bus waiting to get to a class that I may be risking lateness for, and the bus is waiting on you, don’t casually stroll over. I appreciate that the bus drivers will often hold the doors for folks rushing out to catch the bus, however, do your fellow riders some courtesy and put a little hustle into your step!
If we can all just keep in mind these elementary rules of courtesy, our Buff Bus riding experiences can be greatly improved, and hopefully we can reduce some of our finals stress!
Contact CU Independent News Budget Editor Ellie Bean at Beanee@colorado.edu.