“William Hui, a 40-year-old systems engineer from Vancouver, British Columbia, has long been fascinated by public transportation. Recently, he set out on an extraordinary journey: traveling from his hometown to Tijuana, Mexico, using only public buses and trains. His nine-day adventure took him along the US Pacific coast.
Mr. Hui had a few rules for his trip: no Greyhound buses or Amtrak trains, and minimal walking between bus stops. Remarkably, he never had to walk more than 15 minutes between stops, even in rural areas.
This wasn’t Mr. Hui’s first unconventional journey. In 2013, he attempted to travel as far south from Vancouver as possible but only reached Salem, Oregon. The lack of transit connections prevented him from going further into central California.
However, this year, he discovered a new four-hour bus route linking Eureka (in northern California) to Ukiah (about two hours north of San Francisco). He called it “the missing link,” finally allowing him to complete the journey to Mexico over a decade later.
Mr. Hui noticed changes since his initial trip, including public transit buses equipped with WiFi and accepting card payments. Some still only accept cash, so he exchanged currency for $1 bills to have exact change.
He observed differences between public transport in larger cities like Seattle or San Francisco and rural areas, where buses connect people across hundreds of kilometers.
When crossing international borders, Mr. Hui did so on foot. At the US-Canada border, border agents met his explanation of the purpose of his journey with skepticism. Crossing from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico, he encountered more foot traffic at the southern border.
In total, Mr. Hui spent about $200 (£157) on bus tickets, but the priceless views along the way made it worthwhile.”
“During my journey, I was absolutely amazed by the Oregon coastline as I passed through central Oregon. The towering redwoods in northern California also left me awestruck. However, I’ve been telling people that I was truly there for the journey itself, not just the destination.
As a systems engineer at TransLink, Vancouver’s transportation authority, my fascination with public transport stems from appreciating the intricate logistics that allow buses and trains to arrive at their intended destinations on time. Experiencing new transit systems and understanding their role in connecting communities is something I truly enjoy.
One striking observation during my trip was how vital transit is to the communities it serves. I was never alone on the bus for extended periods; fellow passengers made the journey more engaging.
Surprisingly, delays were minimal throughout my adventure. Even in notoriously congested Los Angeles traffic, I managed to make my connections without needing backup plans.
For those considering a similar journey, I recommend researching ahead of time and packing light—most buses lack luggage racks or baggage space. Planning bathroom breaks is essential too; shopping centers, libraries, and community centers often have washrooms available during short stops.
And the golden rule: always know when the bus is scheduled to arrive.”
Source: BBC
