wtf is this crap?

The chinatown bus (a/k/a chinatown van, dollar van).. What can really be said about it?  If you happen to go from flushing/8th avenue to chinatown, then the bus could be a means of commuting while avoiding the overcrowded subway system.

Things to expect:

1)  It is not going to be sparkling clean.  There is a level of grime along the bus, while it isn’t “dirty” it is usually a bit unsettling.  The cloth seats (usually stained with dark sploches) make you appreciate the hard plastic benches on the MTA bus and subway.

2)  Its 25% more expensive than the train.  At $2.50, it isn’t the cheapest solution, but on the flip side there are fewer people on the CT Bus than on the train, and you always get a seat [unless you flag down the bus to get on  (yes people do that) then you'll end up sitting on the floor (yes people do that)].

3)  The drivers are crazy.  If you are lucky, you will get a good driver who takes it slow.  If some diety hates you, then your driver will speed, often cut people off on the highway, run red lights, break basic traffic laws, and go on every obscure back street to avoid traffic.

4)  The ride will not be smooth.  Since the busses are so old and decrepit, the shock absorbers on them are practically worn away, every bump in the road will feel like an earthquake, and if you hit an unpaved street, oh boy, hold on and brace yourself for a bumpy ride.

5)  Travel time varies.  It is based on traffic, weather, accidents and acts of God.  The rule of thumb is that mid week to end of week, warm weather, and bad weather will lead to longer travel times.  Plan accordingly.

Taken from Flickr user plate of the day.

The Chinatown bus.

You can catch it from flushing queens or eighth avenue Brooklyn. The usual fee is 2.50 which includes a seat on a decrepit bus, generally in various states of disrepair. The bus offers spartan accomidations but makes up for that in speed and a guarenteed seat. The drivers speak little to no English and are usually somewhat insane. It is not advised as a mode of transportation if you are queasy or easily disgusted as most of your fellow passengers are unmannered people off the boat from mainland china, though there are usually a few Americanized Chinese.

More later…