I have always been an avid advocate for public transit. It is often a more accessible form of transportation than driving for multiple marginalizing barriers like poverty and disability, and is generally a cost effective way to get around. I have used the trains and busses back in PA, and love them. However, as great as it is to have any transit in the US, it is severely lacking. There is only one bus that runs every 1.5 hrs. and only on week days between my hometown and Harrisburg. While this is helpful, it isn't great. Here, the buses from my dorm to the inner-city runs 4. times. an. hour. until 8pm, then twice an hour till midnight. It starts back up at 5am. Which means even if I miss my bus, I don't have to wait a full hour for the next one, and usually less than 15 minutes. All of the bus stops I have waited at have had benches, a clearly visible pole, they have significant shelter that would actually block rain and a schedule of every bus that stops there, and when. You could be totally lost in Marburg, and sill find your way back if you can just find a bus stop. There are stops everywhere. It is very convenient to ride the bus. Buses that go into the city are always on the right side of the road, and the stops correspond. Busses that go out of the city are on the right, with their own stops. Knowing this is important in taking the right bus. On my second day in Marburg I wasted a few hours by taking the wrong bus multiple times. This is very easy to do because the number of the bus is the same no matter if it is going in or out. So there can be multiple 4 buses out at a time. Included in the cost of my university is a public transit pass that covers nearly all public transit in the state of Hessen. This means I can board local busses, regional busses, local trains and regional trains at no additional cost. It can also get me discounted student rates at nearly any tourist destination in Marburg, for example, the movie theater, the art museum, the castle's museum, and tons more I have yet to discover. This magical pass is my best friend. I have a complicated relationship with my commute. On one hand I hate how log it takes to get into the city. My dorm is the furthest, and resides in a suburb of Marburg. The 1 bus takes 24 minutes to get to the city, and the 4 takes 30. This can be frustrating when running late, or trying to meet people quickly for spur of the moment plans. But, the extra time allows for contemplation, a break throughout the day, and an excellent opportunity to make conversation with people in your program. I also really don't like driving, and having freedom of movement without having to drive is very liberating. Especially when considering going out for drinks. Because of the bus system there is no need to worry about drunk driving or designating a D.D. It also helps that none of the people in the program with me have a car here. I love the liberation and security of the busses, and I am so excited to take more trains as I schedule travel plans!
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About LaurenHi! I'm a senior at SU and I'm studying abroad in Marburg, Germany during the fall 2022 semester. I'm an art history major, a museum studies minor and I'm super excited to share my experiences on my blog! Please follow along to learn all about this incredible experience! Archives
October 2022
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