Transportation In America

Transportation In America

Coming to America is exciting, but to successfully get around, you need to have a plan for transportation when in the country. Much of the United States is spread out, and will require a car to get from place to place, walking is not as popular unless you are in a city. There are still other options besides cars, such as trains and busses for shorter distances, and boats and airplanes for longer distances. 

How do I get a ride from the airport to my location once I arrive?

• You can coordinate with your sponsor to arrange a ride for you when you arrive,
• You can utilize public transportation, such as busses and trains.
  • Not every location in the United States has reliable public transportation systems to get to every location, so you must research ahead of time what public transportation is available in your desired area.

• • Buses are more commonly available and are the cheapest option of public transportation, but are often crowded and slow compared to other modes of transportation.
  • You can often buy a weekly or monthly bus pass by searching your city online, and seniors and students often qualify for discounted rates, or free rides.
    • Type “bus pass information” and your city to find the local bus routes
    • Buses have a route name and/or number. These buses follow the same route every day and will stop at the same places
    • Buses will have a route name or number that is followed each day. These schedules can be found online, or at the information desk at local stations.
      • Buses will also commonly have different hours on weekdays and weekends. Schedules can also change on holidays, with some holidays stopping all buses in general.
    • It is wise to take your planned route on a test run, so you can find out how long the trip will take.
    • If you have bought a pass, you will pay your fare with that. If you have not, you can pay the driver exact change, the driver will not give you change for your fare.
    • Seating for disabled or elderly individuals is commonly located at the front of the bus. It is common courtesy in the United States to give these seats up to elderly, disabled, or pregnant individuals if you are sitting in the front of the bus, but not required..
    • Buses will commonly have a bell/buzzer for you to alert the driver you are getting off at the next stop, but some buses will stop at every stop regardless of a buzzer. Doing a test run will help you learn this information about your local bus systems.

• Subways/Metro Systems

• • • Larger cities will commonly have city railways and subway systems for people to travel station to station. Subway trains will travel underground, and are usually the most popular and quickest mode of transportation.
    • To use subways, you will need to purchase either a pass or ticket to ride. 
      • Passes or tickets can be bought at ticket windows at local stations, automated ticket machines, or sometimes online depending on the city.
    • Each subway system will have a map displaying the routes and stops they take, you can find these at local stations or online.
      • Some routes will require you to change trains during your trip, so make sure to reference these maps and plan accordingly.
      • Many cities create guides online on how to successfully use their subway systems, which you can find online by searching your desired city, + “subway guide”

• Driving a personal car

• • • The most convenient alternative, especially in areas lacking reliable public transportation systems, such as rural areas.
    • To drive in the United States, you are required to pass a driving test and exam to receive a license.
    • As a car owner, you will also be required to get auto insurance, and possibly make payments on your vehicle.

• Bicycles

• • • Bicycles are a low-cost way to travel in smaller towns or smaller cities.
    • Many major roads in the United States will have biking lanes/routes for bikers to utilize.
    • In the United States, bikers will ride in the same direction as car traffic.
    • Bikers will commonly utilize hand signals to show others where they intend on going, and always wear a helmet.
    • Bicycle parking areas are common in areas with larger populations, yet you will still want to buy a reliable lock to use for your bike when you leave it. It is not always safe to leave an unlocked bicycle.

• Taxis

• • • A car you can hire to take you from one place to another. They are common in big cities. Taxis can be expensive and get stuck in traffic 
    • Taxis are commonly available in large cities, or areas with large populations. Taxis are a car service that will take you from one location to another, and are commonly paid by distance or time to that destination.
    • Taxis can be called to pick you up, or are commonly flagged from the side of the street by users. To hail a taxi without calling beforehand, stand on the side of the street and wait to see a taxi drive past. If they are not occupied and you wave your hand up, they will stop and pick you up.
    • Riders will usually sit in the back unless traveling with enough people someone is required to sit in the front. Taxis will usually have a taximeter located in the backseat, that will show you how much your ride will cost and how it is calculated.

• Carpooling, Rideshares, and Transportation Apps: 

• • Carpooling is always an option if you know others with a car, or you can use a ride-share to find a ride.
  • A ride-share is when a group of people rides together in one car to the same location
    • You can find rideshare near you by using Ridesharing.com
  • Other options include transportation apps such as Lyft or Uber
    • Lyft: A mobile app that allows you to schedule a ride with a driver in the country. They will pick you up once you request a ride at a certain time and drive you to your location, where you will pay for their services via the app
    • Uber: A more popular version of Lyft, Uber is another app that provides transportation to and from certain locations. Uber has more drivers than Lyft and can typically offer more availability on your location for rides
      • To set up an account with these services, you will need to attach a payment service. ATM and credit cards are usually used, and the apps usually accept foreign cards.
    • How to Use Lyft or Uber:
      • Open and create an account on the app, adding a secure payment option to pay for your rides.
      • Type in your desired destination, and choose an available service to come pick you up. You will be shown how much each ride would cost you beforehand.
      • Confirm your ride and wait to be picked up
      • Once you complete your ride, rate your driver and pay through your app. You can complete this process to get back to wherever you need to be!

There are several different options in the United States for transportation, some research is required to help you discover what can be best utilized in your desired area of the country. Personal cars tend to be better in rural areas, and public transportation can be a cheaper alternative if you live in a large enough area.