Etiquette on the 51 (and general bus etiquette)

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
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<p>It is okay to say hello to the bus driver. It’s nice, even.</p>

<p>When you board the bus, try to move as far back as you can toward any open seats.</p>

<p>PLEASE yield your seat to any elderly or disabled individual, or anyone who looks like they might need it more than you. YES, even if you’re not in the seats where it’s federally required.</p>

<p>If you are forced to stand, please move as far back in the bus as you can. Standing in the middle just to talk with your friends who are sitting is annoying to everyone else who gets on later and has to pick their way around you.</p>

<p>Please don’t have loud cell phone conversations on the bus. It’s fine to talk on your cell, but you DON’T need to shout. Ditto MP3 players – you don’t really need to sing along while you’re on the bus or have the volume loud enough for everyone to hear, do you?</p>

<p>If you have a lot of luggage, try to find a place where you aren’t taking up a vacant seat to store it. </p>

<p>If you take a seat, move all the way to the wall. Don’t leave the window seat vacant and sit on the aisle. It’s rude.</p>

<p>The buttons that trigger the doors on the new buses also act as “Stop Requested” signals. Please look up to see whether the “Stop Requested” light is already on before you go pushing it multiple times.</p>

<p>When you want to open the doors on the new buses, you have to push the button (if the bus driver isn’t doing it already). Pushing at the doors will not work. Just push the button once when the lights indicate you can open the doors. Don’t hold it (it responds when you let go, not when you press), don’t mash it until the door opens, and ESPECIALLY don’t push it and then bull-rush the doors. They’re slow, but they WILL open.</p>

<p>If you expect you will be the only one getting off at a stop, try to make your way to the front of the bus so everyone doesn’t have to wait for the middle and rear doors to open and close again.</p>

<p>It’s okay to say “Thank you, have a good <insert time=”" here=“”>", really!</insert></p>

<p>And just a note: the 51 is always late. ALWAYS. Especially from Oakland. If it seems to be on time, it’s just the bus that was due 15 minutes ago. And it’s likely to be followed by 1-3 more. And if you decide to take your chances and start walking, it will pass you 75% of the time. Expect this and learn to live with it.</p>

<p>(Pet peeves much?)</p>

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<p>Agree with all of this.</p>

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<p>Also a place that doesn’t block people from getting to seats.</p>

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<p>It’s fine if the bus is pretty empty. Do this if the bus starts to get full.</p>

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<p>This is for the new buses. For the old ones you still have to push the door.</p>

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<p>It wouldn’t even be so bad if it’s not so darn unpredictable. 40L for example, is usually 3-5 minutes late. The 51 can be 2 minutes late, 8 minutes, or 15 minutes, when it comes with the next bus. The frequency of the bus somewhat compensates for this.</p>

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<p>Ditto what vicissitudes said. I’d like to point out I did say the new buses are the ones with the buttons. On the buses that have the string system for calling stops, the middle doors are push operated – and in that case, please hold the door if there’s someone coming out behind you!</p>

<p>The lateness of the 51 is legendary. I live half a block from a stop on College, and I rarely ever bother to wait for it unless I’m headed to 5th x University. There are MANY times when the bus doesn’t show for over 25 minutes (when it’s supposed to run every 8-15 depending on day/time) and then there are 3-4 in a row.</p>

<p>I’d also like to note that the 51 has “rush times.” They vary from day to day, but sooner or later you’ll get into the groove. The bus DOES reject people when it gets over-full, so it’s better if you don’t find yourself waiting only to get passed by. These times usually correspond with lunch and dinner (12-3, 5-9). The late evening buses (the last few runs before they stop ~11:45) are almost empty most of the time.</p>

<p>There are also several busy stops. Downtown Berkeley (Shattuck x Center) and the Units (it passes by all 3). If you’re trying to get onto the bus in between these, be wary that you might be entering a nearly-full bus.</p>

<p>It’s a good idea to have a back-up plan if you need to be somewhere. Be prepared to have to get on a 40/L or 7 to get to Telegraph or College (respectively) and then walk the rest of the way. It’s a good idea to check the schedules if you have the time, via 511 or ACTransit. Sometimes you’ll find catching a regular bus and walking a short distance is faster than waiting for the 51 to show up.</p>

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<p>u spent way too much time on this… my advice (if u live in clark kerr wait for the 7 and if u live in the units take the 51… dont walk unless u JUST missed both 51’s in a row)</p>

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<p>I spend way too much time traveling between College and Shattuck and University – so I ride the bus whenever I can catch it. </p>

<p>It’s just stuff I’ve noticed and wish other people would be aware of. :)</p>

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<p>You have to take a bus to get from the Units to campus? I thought they were only a block away / really close.</p>

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<p>Not to campus, no; they are very close. It’s just sometimes more comfortable to do so when getting between the Units and other parts of town – Shattuck if you’re feeling lazy, or up College toward Elmwood, or down University.</p>

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<p>hahaha i found this hilarious yet so true!</p>

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<p>You don’t have to, but you could and some students do. For example, if you live in the units and want to go up to North Side. That’s usually a 15-20 minutes walk, but about 5 minutes using Perimeter. A lot of students try to catch it for morning classes.</p>