Public Transportation

[HappyKoi]

Sometimes I feel really anxious on public transportation, like buses or trains.  It doesn't matter if it's day or night, or what neighborhood I'm riding through, it just makes me nervous.  I worry about a lot of things- missing my stop, that someone creepy is going to try to sit next to me, worries about being robbed at a bus stop, but mostly that something bad is going to happen in general, really.  I used to live in a city where most people get around by public transit, but now that I've moved, I mostly drive.  I occasionally have to use public transit, but I try to avoid it, even when it's cheaper.  I know in my head that public transit is mostly safe, but my feelings don't agree.  Does anyone else have anxiety about using public transit?

 

[rikka]

I generally am not anxious with public transportation, but the one thing I fear the most is getting robbed. I knock on the wood hoping that it will never happen to me. There are also some parts here in the city where there are kids (or even teenagers) with anime hair and disheveled look who climb up on the public transpo and rap and do beat-box, with the hopes that the listeners will give them money. Whenever such kids or teens climb up, I get pretty defensive and possessive of my bag and my watch. I would usually sigh in relief whenever they go down the vehicle or when I get to my destination. It's because these kids and teens can be very notorious in robbing when not inside the public transpo. It's just my apprehension when riding a public transpo.

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

I haven't taken public transportation in a long while. Decades ago, when I was working, I used to commute daily by bus. It was quite pleasant, especially in the mornings. That's because, in the mornings, everybody is freshly bathed and smell good. So, being packed together like sardines wasn't a big problem. The evening trips were a bit different. Just about everybody already had a long day at work and don't smell like roses. That's why I prefer those buses without air conditioning. The open windows and the rushing air helps to blow away some of the smell of sweat.

 

[Choochoo]

I feel calm in public transportation and most of my anxiety from it stems from the fact that the public transportation here isn't very well organized so I know I'll have to walk long distances and walk up multiple levels of stairs just to get to my destination. Apart from that I feel a bit more comfortable just sitting or standing in a train because I can just let my mind wander. I get way more anxious when I drive because I tend to worry about being careful and not getting into an accident or getting pulled over since I do tend to zone out sometimes. 

 

[rikka]

I feel calm in public transportation and most of my anxiety from it stems from the fact that the public transportation here isn't very well organized so I know I'll have to walk long distances and walk up multiple levels of stairs just to get to my destination. Apart from that I feel a bit more comfortable just sitting or standing in a train because I can just let my mind wander. I get way more anxious when I drive because I tend to worry about being careful and not getting into an accident or getting pulled over since I do tend to zone out sometimes. 

I don't want to learn how to drive for the same reason as yours regarding not being careful and getting into accidents. I tend to have a lot of things going on in my mind. I plan what I need to do, and I also review what I did the whole day. I get distracted easily, so driving is an absolute no-no for me. Also, I tend to get agitated easily and get annoyed at people who take the curb for a park (walking leisurely), so driving is a no-no for me because I might be a rage driver, and I don't want that. That's why I prefer public transportation because I'll just pay my fare, sit, and think in peace. Being behind the wheel is unnerving to me.

 

[djanx]

Hmmm... I don't have that kind of an anxiety while traveling. Although, to be honest, I do worry about missing my stop, but that is normal because that helps me stay alert and not miss my stop. I don't really worry about the other stuff. But, if you do worry about all of those things, find ways to get rid of the issue. For example, if you're worried about someone creepy sitting next to you, then why don't you "choose" your seat instead of letting the seat choose you? I mean travel in groups, or if you're a girl, team up with another girl who may be traveling alone. That way you'll also find someone to talk to while traveling. Finally, and this is key, always have a couple of movies or other things in your phone so that you can spend time watching those instead of worrying about missing your stop. If the journey isn't that long, the least you can do is listen to some music.

 

[Alex]

Public transport is generally safe, but being aware is sensible. Sadly, this can lead to anxiety and the best way to cope with it is to stay calm, travel with people that look safe, and if it doesn't move carriages or wait for another train. Often when I had to get late trains, there was an unspoken buddy system where people would get on the same carriage for safety, and keep an eye on one another.

 

[Azelma]

I only get anxious in public transportation if it's crowded. Usually I like it, I get to see the city while traveling comfortably and not having to worry about traffic. Only if the bus is full or someone tries to make contact is when it gets uncomfortable for me.

 

[x0xLikeMex0x]

I generally don't get anxious on public transportation, even though I'm happier if I get to sit alone. Some buses have paired seating on one side and one-person seating on the other side. I always run for the one-person seats, because that way I can avoid awkward conversations with strangers when I need to exit the bus.


I absolutely hate buses that are completely full, so you have to squeeze yourself in there somehow.  And I hate taking a bus when the school ends, because the buses will be flooded by students that are usually noisy.


The weird thing is that, I still prefer public transportation to cars. Maybe it's because I don't have a car nor driver's licence. 

 

[misszerable]

I am not at all anxious about taking public transportation. I drive my own car on weekends but I usually take an aircon bus during weekdays because it's a long ride from my house to the office and the traffic is just horrible. I usually sleep on the way. I don't normally bring valuable so there's nothing to be had form me except my coin purse,I have another set of makeup and other necessities at the office so most of the times, I don't carry a bag.I always wear a beltbag though, and that's where I keep IDs or ATM card, and some bills. 

 

[lexinonomous]

I am not a fan of public transportation, at all. One of my biggest fears is being on a bus by myself. I do not like the idea of traveling on my own, unless it's by airplane. Riding the bus gives me a bit of anxiety, but I am usually uncomfortable. Majority of the people riding the bus in my area are odd. I am not one to judge people, but I have never had a good experience on the bus. I have had numerous people act strange, try and ask me questions, and just all around not leave me alone. I have even had people get off on the same bus stop as me and continue to follow me to my next destination.


As someone that struggles with social anxiety, public transportation is not for me. Not only do people tend to try and make conversation, but it's usually the strangest people to reach out to me while traveling.

 

[sidney]

No I don't have any anxiety when it comes to using public transportation. Sure, there is a possibility of being robbed, but I don't commute during the wee hours of the morning, so it still doesn't bother me as much.

 

[Laneorexorcist]

I don't think that it is necessarily anxiety, it's much more like awkwardness. There are a lot of people up there and I'm definitely not the biggest fan of physical contact, and sometimes even talking to the bus driver can be a bad experience for me, I guess. I still don't know how to drive, but I think that I would be more scared to drive than taking public transportation. I have a thing when it comes to car accidents, so I think that transportation in general is always going to be a struggle and something difficult to deal with for me. 

 

[Choochoo]

I don't want to learn how to drive for the same reason as yours regarding not being careful and getting into accidents. I tend to have a lot of things going on in my mind. I plan what I need to do, and I also review what I did the whole day. I get distracted easily, so driving is an absolute no-no for me. Also, I tend to get agitated easily and get annoyed at people who take the curb for a park (walking leisurely), so driving is a no-no for me because I might be a rage driver, and I don't want that. That's why I prefer public transportation because I'll just pay my fare, sit, and think in peace. Being behind the wheel is unnerving to me.

Yeah and not to mention even that being behind the wheel means any lapse in judgement or attention will not only endanger you buy others as well and that's even more scary to me. Still. I am glad I get to drive and that I my worries and anxieties on this at least are not too extreme since it can be very useful on certain occasions such as picking up friends and relatives when necessary. I do still prefer just being the passenger than the driver though. 

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

There are pros and cons to being the driver or the passenger. Being the driver means that you are in charge. You decide where and when to go. Of course, you have to take responsibility for that choice. Being the passenger means that you don't have to worry about how to get there. That's the driver's job. It also means that you have no say in any decisions made by the driver, good or bad.

 

[DDNatureLover]

I don't take public transportation where I live now, because there isn't any available. I have taken public transportation in various places over the years, and for the most part, I find it more relaxing than driving. I enjoy letting someone else do the driving, and knowing that I'll get where I'm going. I spent a lot of time on public transportation reading, studying, or people watching. I liked to make up stories in my head about the various people I'd see. I enjoy doing the same in coffee shops these days. I have had a few bad experiences, but survived them all. I was assaulted at one bus stop (sexual touching),and also on a subway train (frotteurism is common on public transportation, particularly when the car is crowded) and someone tried to steal a ring off my finger at another. I agree with the others. It's best to stick in groups, or at least with another person, usually of the same sex. 

Frotteurism is a paraphilic interest in rubbing, usually one's pelvic area or erect penis, against a non-consenting person for sexual pleasure. It may involve touching any part of the body, including the genital area. (from Wikipedia)
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[111kg]

There is a problem with public transport: many people don't care about themselves and don't even bother with the basic hygiene norms. This is why I prefer to walk in hot days 5 miles rather than taking certain buses in my city. I even prefer to rent a bike (we have a public sharing system) rather than breathing the same air with those filthy b******rds.

 

[babyleans]

I do get anxious when using public transportation. This usually happens when everybody's seated and i'm standing. I feel like the focus is on me, which is the number one reason for my anxiety. In that kind of situation, i just take out my phone.

 

[amy88]

For me it's mainly the crowds aspect of public transportation that I really don't enjoy. The times of day that I usually have to take transport coincide with peak hour - so there are just people everywhere and it ends up feeling a bit like sardines in a can, at times. In times where it isn't busy, I don't really mind it at all. I tend to just bring a book or something to listen to, and then I think people get the hint that you don't want to be disturbed.

 

[hades_leae]

I won't say that it made me anxious but I used to worry about many of the things that you worried about. I used to wonder who was going to sit next to me, who was sitting across from me, what if people were staring at me, when I get up and get ready to get off, who's going to be staring at me. Now I just don't give a damn. 


I know people are going to look around, it's curiosity, and perception. I don't care now, if you allow something natural affect you in a negative way you'll always suffer.