Hello everyone.
In Felixstowe, where I live, I use public transport to go to work, do shopping etc. I have been a bus pass holder for approximately 14 years. For the first few years, I was entitled to half-price tickets in my local area (Suffolk), then I was entitled to free travel. In 2008, this was expanded to the rest of England (after 0930) but not Wales, Scotland or Ireland.
Since 2011, my bus pass cannot be used until 0930, even in Suffolk. As a result, I had to spend nearly four pounds a time just to get to Ipswich, before changing buses, which means spending another pound or two. My local bus services have become increasingly prone to delays and cancellations, and even if my bus did turn up, the bus itself would be noisy, crowded, or generally uncomfortable during what was an hour-long stopping journey. I don't mind limited-stop expresses, but I find those long, local bus journeys that stop virtually everywhere on its route uncomfortable.
Fortunately though, I have found another way of getting to work, and that's by train. My local railway station is fifteen minutes' walk away from where I live, and although the ticket I order is a bit more expensive than an equivalent bus fare, but it's worth it, because of the extra comfort, the faster journey time, and being able to track my train on my mobile phone. The walking is also worth my while, as I would kreep fit in doing so.
Even so, being an autistic person, I find it difficult to cope with things like shouting, screaming, swearing, overcrowding etc., in which case I would listen to music to muffle out all that unwanted noise.
There was a time when my mum was supposed to meet my sister at the local hospital, but her bus did not turn up. She had to wait half an hour for the next bus, but it broke down about half a mile before her stop, so instead of waiting another half an hour for the next bus (which turned up ten minutes late), my dad took her there by car. Although I didn't use any of the buses myself, I was still shocked and devastated. I felt sorry for everyone else that needed to use the bus service.
Have you had any difficult public transport experiences yourself in your local area? I would love to be able to share my transport experiences with you.
