The Joy of the Bus and the Future of Transportation

Isn’t it incredible that you can take a bus, and it just drops you off wherever you need to be? It’s one of those things that people take for granted. When you think of city life, the bus is often seen as a second choice. Oh, you have to take the bus. Oh, that sucks. But honestly, there’s something special about just hopping on a bus and letting it teleport you to your destination.

Convenience Over Complexity

Driving a car has become this ritual, right? You’ve got to go to the garage, find a parking spot, get your keys, start the engine, warm up the car, and then you’re finally on your way. It’s a whole process. Compare that to the bus:

You just hop on.
No need to park or start an engine.
No dealing with traffic or weather.

“Imagine pushing pedals and driving wheels. What are you even doing?”

Taking the bus is like choosing simplicity over all that hassle. It’s easier and, honestly, a lot more relaxing.

Embracing the Future: Automation Is Here

I think about automation a lot. The way cars and transportation are evolving, we’re heading toward a future where self-driving vehicles are just a part of life. But, in a way, the bus is already a step towards that.

No car ownership: I don’t want to own a car. I’d rather use a bus or Uber.
Philadelphia’s design: Philly is a walkable city, one of the best in the country. The grid system that William Penn designed is genius, making everything so accessible.
Public transport as a preview of self-driving: Buses already give us a taste of what life with autonomous cars might feel like—getting from point A to point B without having to worry about driving.

“Philadelphia, it’s the most walkable city in the world… or, let’s say, in the country. The grid system is beautiful.”

Public transport in cities like Philly feels like the future, even though it’s been around forever. It’s all about the way a city connects you to the places you need to go.

Order, Chaos, and the Urban Dance

Cities are fascinating because of the tension between order and chaos. The grid is all structure, but the people who live in the city are unpredictable. They bring chaos to the mix. Think of the folks doing wheelies on bikes, going against traffic—they’re like glitches in the system.

“When I see people doing the wheelies down the street going the opposite way on bikes or dirt bikes, I always think… they’re like a glitch in the system.”

The Human Barrier: Cars and Disconnection

Cars create a physical barrier between you and the outside world, just like a screen does when you’re using an iPhone. You get inside a car, close the door, and suddenly you’re in your own little bubble. This disconnection can make people act out.

Road rage: It’s easy to yell at someone when you’re inside your car, insulated from them.
Digital separation: Same thing happens online. People argue and say things they wouldn’t say face-to-face.

“There’s this separation between the digital and the real world that is very jarring. And I feel this way about vehicles… a physical barrier between you and the real world around you.”

We see this all the time. People get heated in their cars or behind their screens because they don’t feel that immediate connection to the world around them.

Why Self-Driving Cars Make Sense

People are distracted when they drive. You see it all the time:

Texting at red lights.
Eating fast food while steering.
Scrolling through their phones when they should be paying attention to the road.

“Everyone texts and drives. You can’t tell me otherwise. If somebody doesn’t text and drive, well, then they’re a saint.”

That’s why I think self-driving cars could actually be safer. They wouldn’t be eating, texting, or zoning out—they’d just be focused on the road. Plus, the automation could make our cities more efficient and free up our time.

The Virtue of Automation

Fewer Accidents: Self-driving cars could reduce human errors.
More Productive Time: Instead of focusing on the road, you could use travel time to read, think, or just relax.
Less Stress: Imagine not having to worry about parking or traffic.

It’s funny, really. The bus already gives you a taste of this future. You just get on and let it do the work for you.

Finding Joy in the Bus Ride

Taking the bus has this old-school charm that people overlook. It might not be flashy, but it’s got its perks:

You can look out the window and take photos.
It’s warm and cozy in the winter months.
It gives you time to think and observe.

“Look, I’m a big fan of the bus. It feels like I’m in the future, even though it’s this old thing that people don’t generally like to take.”

For me, anything that makes life simpler is a win. And maybe that’s why I’ve come to appreciate the bus so much—it’s a little slice of simplicity in a world that’s always rushing.

Conclusion: A Simple Ride into the Future

At the end of the day, I think about the bus and the future of transportation, and I realize they’re not so different. The bus represents the kind of ease that autonomous cars could bring. It’s about letting go of the small stresses and just enjoying the journey.

“I think it’ll free up more time and make people’s lives easier. Anything that makes my life easier, I’m going to be a fan of.”

So, here I am, waiting for the bus, thinking about the future, and enjoying the ride. It’s a small thing, but it means a lot.