Participants

• Gio
• Tanya: Student at UW Madison

Introduction

• Discussion focused on Madison bus transit
• Goal: Explore Tanya's experiences, likes, and dislikes regarding the bus system

Bus Usage Frequency

• Current Year: Not often, as Tanya is within walking distance to her classes
• Last Year: Rode the bus daily for class attendance

Reasons for Bus Usage

• Commonly used for travel between buildings, classes, or library visits

Last Bus Experience

• Last Trip:
  • Starting Point: Memorial
  • Destination: Steambok
• Reaction to Taking the Bus:
  • Does not typically check bus schedules due to familiarity
  • Usually finds two buses waiting, allowing for an easy decision

On the Bus Experience

• Experience on the Bus:
  • Sometimes has to wait for the bus, as drivers may take breaks
  • The 80 bus route is known to be crowded
• Post-Ride Experience:
  • Usually arrives close to the destination
  • Occasionally has to walk a short distance (typically five minutes) depending on the route

Navigation Apps

• Primary App Used: Apple Maps
  • To check bus arrival times and walking distance
• Accuracy of Apple Maps Timing:
  • Generally inaccurate; buses often arrive late (five or more minutes)
  • Timing issues become frustrating, especially in cold weather

Preference for Navigation Apps

• Choice Reasoning:
  • Prefers not to install multiple apps for bus navigation
  • Ease of access is more important than installing a dedicated metro app
• Comparison with Google Maps:
  • Finds Google Maps aesthetically better but prefers Apple Maps for usability reasons

Confusion with App Functionality

• Multiple bus options displayed can lead to confusion regarding which bus to take
• When faced with confusion, Tanya relies on routes she is familiar with to simplify decisions

Frustrations with the Bus System

• Frustration with the requirement of having a physical bus card
• Expressed desire for a solution enabling digital bus cards on phones for convenience

Instances of Issues on the Bus

• Misunderstanding about whether the 82 bus is free on specific hours:
  • Confusion led to a bus driver reprimanding Tanya for not presenting her card
• Experiences of missing the bus:
  • Several occurrences, often as a result of optimistic timing due to previous lateness

Coping Strategies for Riding the Bus

• Attempts to arrive earlier at bus stops to avoid missing the bus
• Regularly checks routes and schedules before and during rides to ensure accuracy

Finding Bus Stops

• Using Apple Maps for Location:
  • Provides information about bus stop locations and walking distance
• Physical Identifiers at Bus Stops:
  • Blue signs indicate bus stops, but confusion can arise with multiple stops nearby
• Observing groups of people to identify the correct bus stop

On the Bus Activities

• Frequently checks phone for location and upcoming stops
• Uses the cord to signal when approaching stops
• Preference for taking a seat rather than standing when possible

Bus Capacity and Experience

• Buses can be packed, especially on popular routes (80, 82)
• Decision to walk instead of taking the bus when distances are manageable to avoid crowded conditions
• Correct use of bus navigation tools for boarding and alighting

Common Issues Encountered

• Occasionally misses stops due to distractions while on the bus
• Encountered instances where the cord or button does not function
• Preference for seating near doors for quick exit
• incidences of buses being too crowded to board
• Often decide to walk when buses are excessively delayed

Suggestions for Improvement

• Desire for improvements in the accuracy of bus arrival times
• Preference for an option to store bus payment on mobile devices
• Ideal scenario includes less crowded buses and efficient egress from the bus

Familiarity with Bus Routes

• Tanya is relatively familiar with routes 80 and 82 and less familiar with others (A and F routes)
• Owning a car has reduced reliance on bus systems this academic year in favor of the convenience of driving

Final Thoughts on the Bus System

• General dissatisfaction with overcrowding on the bus
• Suggests that more routes and buses are needed to ease congestion especially in high-demand areas