Tried taking the express bus to save time and ended up sitting in traffic 20 minutes longer

I thought I was being smart last Tuesday taking the 8A express from downtown instead of my usual local line. Turns out the express just takes the highway and there was a three car pileup near the exit ramp. I sat there watching my regular bus zoom past on the side street completely stuck. Now I'm wondering if anyone else has tried switching routes only to get burned by bad timing?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_susan7d ago

The 8A got me too last spring, I sat for 45 minutes on the 405 because of a broken down truck. It's funny how we think the "faster" option is always better, but really it's just trading one kind of traffic jam for another. That express bus is totally at the mercy of the highway while the local route can weave through side streets and sometimes even jump in the bike lane. I've noticed this pattern with a lot of stuff in life, the shortcut usually has its own hidden traffic jam just waiting to mess you up.

rileyb617d ago

That "hidden traffic jam" part really hits home. I think it applies to so many things like taking a new job for more money but dealing with worse management or buying a house further out for space but spending all your time in the car. The quick fix usually has a catch you dont see until youre already stuck in it.