I Gave Up My Car For A Day To Use Connect Transit And Here's What Happened

Spoiler: I learned I was unnecessarily nervous.

My name is Dillon, and I have a confession.

Alexa Cary

This is my fourth year living in Bloomington-Normal, but I have never (like, ever) ridden a bus in Bloomington-Normal.

It's not that I'm against riding buses.

I became a public-transit-professional while I was studying abroad & travelling in Europe (obviously my favorite to ride is the iconic red double-deckers in London).

But I just love Uptown Normal.

Alexa Cary

Uptown Normal is literally adjacent to campus, so delicious food is always a quick walk (rather than a bus ride) away.

But sometimes the (Red)bird has to leave the nest.

Connect Transit

So I downloaded the Connect-Transit app ("Connect Transit" in the Google Play or App Store), and got to planning out my Monday. The app shows you where each line stops, where the buses are at in real time and even can help you plan your trip.

My first class on Monday isn't until the afternoon, so I decided to run a couple errands first.

The first bus I wanted to catch rolled past my apartment at 9...

Dillon Maher

but I was so nervous I was going to miss it, I got there nine minutes early. And stood there. For nine minutes. Because it was right on time. Oops. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

So I knew I got free rides on Connect Transit as an ISU student...

Via giphy.com

but that's literally all I knew about riding. However, the bus driver was literally the nicest person I spoke to this morning. She told me where to swipe my card, and I sat down toward the back (that's where the cool kids sat in middle school, so I assumed that still applied).

I was pretty excited/nervous/ready for anything.

The first ride on Connect Transit is selfie-worthy, right?

The ride was over really quickly.

Dillon Maher / Via giphy.com

(OK, so that was a time lapse; it wasn't that fast. But you get my point.)

And just like that, I was at the grocery store.

I picked up a couple things, including this apple cider donut. Fall is upon us.

By the time I was waiting for my second bus, I felt like a pro.

Fox / Via Giphy.com

Seriously though. Someone at the bus stop asked if the Red Line went to Downtown Bloomington. I confidently answered yes. It was a good feeling.

AND this time, I got to pull the line to request a stop.

Via giphy.com

I was feeling pretty cool.

After such a successful morning, I needed to get some homework done.

Dillon Maher

So I posted up at my favorite Downtown coffee shop, and got to work.

(There are great places to study in Uptown Normal too, including another Coffee Hound location. I just like a change of scenery once in a while, ya know?)

After cranking out some homework, it was time to head to campus...

Fox / Via giphy.com

and by this point I knew exactly what I was doing. The bus arrived exactly when it was supposed to, and dropped me off right in front of the Bone Student Center.

It took me less than a day.

Comedy Central / Via giphy.com

I had mastered Connect Transit.

LESSONS LEARNED:

* Connect Transit is super easy to use

* I have no idea why I waited until I was a senior to try it

* The app is super, super useful

* I had literally no reason to be as nervous about this as I was

* Apple cider donuts are delicious

So, Future Redbird, there's nothing to fear! If you call Bloomington-Normal your home, you'll be able to get from point A to point B easily.