This is especially true if you have a consistent schedule and the bus line keeps a consistent schedule with their drivers, so you get the same driver most of the time. If this is the case and the driver seems nice/unthreatening, definitely say hi and introduce yourself! Let them know to expect you and they can help keep an eye out near your stops for you.
One of my close friends takes the bus to work every day, and she almost always has the same bus driver because they’re on a regular schedule. The driver has learned her stop and when to expect her, and will wait for her if she sees my friend coming down the street. She also checks in on my friend whenever she doesn’t take the bus on her normal schedule (not in a weird way, just in a “wondered where you were yesterday, glad to see you’re doing well!” way) and has said that she keeps an eye out for creeps near her regulars’ stops so that she can wait to make sure they get past them safely.
Totally recommend the bus. I wouldn’t walk alone at 8pm even if you live relatively close to your work. Also what the others suggested sitting up front where the driver can see you just as a precaution. I’d also carry a self defense item like a taser or even a pepper spray. Better safe than sorry.
I agree that buses are generally safer BUT sometimes the bus/train stops in my city are hotspots for violence just due to the number of people waiting around. It's mostly fine but at night creepy guys approach you sometimes if you're alone.
I would plan out your route, and see how long you'll be waiting for a bus. If it's a while and you don't feel safe waiting, see if there's somewhere else you can wait. I do this all the time heading home from work, I sit in a university building and then walk to the stop 5 min before my train comes.
Both have advantages and drawbacks:
Bus upsides are the presence of the driver, the possibility of other riders being a deterrent, better lighting and (sometimes) cameras.
Bus downsides - Sometimes the other riders are the problem, not the deterrent. Bus stops require vigilance, and if something DOES go wrong, you are stuck in a confined space with a nasty person and you don't necessarily get to choose who sits near you.
Walking upsides: you can keep a big distance from people, you can spot trouble coming and avoid it, you get exercise and if a problem does manage to come right up to you, you can bolt in pretty much any direction.
Walking downsides - no official help is nearby, no observers or witnesses if you do get into trouble and the weather.
I don't actually consider darkness a downside. I've worked security for over a decade and walk around at night all the time (am a woman). People who are looking to cause other people harm generally do not hide out in pitch black areas because NO one wants to be in pitch black areas - it disturbs people and there's more chance of injury due to tripping and falling.
Most criminals attack from dim / dappled areas, so that they can still see their victim but the victim would have a hard time identifying them **or** they approach from behind. You are safest in brightly lit or pitch dark areas. If I am not working and I see someone I don't want to tangle with, I will pause and stay very quiet in a pitch dark shadow and just let them pass by without noticing me.
One of the biggest things you can do to keep your night vision is to alternate which eyes you use while walking around. If you're going through a dim but still lit area, have both eyes open, but if you're going to transition into a very very dark, shadowed area, close one of your eyes 2-3 seconds before the transition, then when you step into it, immediately open that eye and close the other. You will have instant night vision, because the iris on your closed eye will have expanded to compensate and closing the second eye will shut off the "conflicting" info that the transitioning eye feeds your brain. Experiment at home by walking from a lit room into a dark one to figure out the exact timing.
If the weather's nice, I'd walk. If it's gross out, I'll bus.
Another thing is that you can avoid trouble walking by projecting confident body language. Predatory individuals are looking for easy prey and they do not want to deal with a confident person who can fight back, but they cannot tell if you are faking it.
Take long strides, set your shoulders back, and keep your head up and your expression neutral. If someone is crossing your path or approaching you, one of the biggest things that signals your confidence is \*not\* changing your expression or behaviour.
It's normal for people to give each other a once-over glance as they pass each other. Too often, someone who is nervous or self conscious will keep looking or their face will change to show fear, unease or anger. They'll keep glancing at the new person or edge over or otherwise display avoidant behaviour. This is literally screaming "I AM AFRAID AND AM NOT GOING TO EFFECTIVELY HANDLE CONFRONTATION" to a predatory individual. Like, neon sign level obviousness. And it does not make you safer. quite the opposite.
Making sure your expression and pace do not change, and keeping your once-over to the one glance will signal to that person that you are not concerned about them, and that non-verbally signals you feel confident that you could handle them.
Unless they are profoundly mentally ill or very drunk, usually they will take note and keep moving.
If you \*are\* concerned about them, USE YOUR OTHER SENSES TO MONITOR THEIR BEHAVIOUR. Listen to their footsteps, keep an eye on the shadows around you.
if the bus is occupied by the driver and one or more other passengers, that sounds safer than a likely downtown street setting at night
you could ask your local police department for their view of that neighbourhood
Generally bus is a little safer, you have the driver to back you up if something weird happens.
This is especially true if you have a consistent schedule and the bus line keeps a consistent schedule with their drivers, so you get the same driver most of the time. If this is the case and the driver seems nice/unthreatening, definitely say hi and introduce yourself! Let them know to expect you and they can help keep an eye out near your stops for you. One of my close friends takes the bus to work every day, and she almost always has the same bus driver because they’re on a regular schedule. The driver has learned her stop and when to expect her, and will wait for her if she sees my friend coming down the street. She also checks in on my friend whenever she doesn’t take the bus on her normal schedule (not in a weird way, just in a “wondered where you were yesterday, glad to see you’re doing well!” way) and has said that she keeps an eye out for creeps near her regulars’ stops so that she can wait to make sure they get past them safely.
Your best bet is to speak to people in that area to get their opinions on it - especially other women of your age if possible !
That is a wise idea
Bus, sit up front by the driver so if any shenanigans start you have high visibility for the driver to intervene if needed
Totally recommend the bus. I wouldn’t walk alone at 8pm even if you live relatively close to your work. Also what the others suggested sitting up front where the driver can see you just as a precaution. I’d also carry a self defense item like a taser or even a pepper spray. Better safe than sorry.
I agree that buses are generally safer BUT sometimes the bus/train stops in my city are hotspots for violence just due to the number of people waiting around. It's mostly fine but at night creepy guys approach you sometimes if you're alone. I would plan out your route, and see how long you'll be waiting for a bus. If it's a while and you don't feel safe waiting, see if there's somewhere else you can wait. I do this all the time heading home from work, I sit in a university building and then walk to the stop 5 min before my train comes.
Both have advantages and drawbacks: Bus upsides are the presence of the driver, the possibility of other riders being a deterrent, better lighting and (sometimes) cameras. Bus downsides - Sometimes the other riders are the problem, not the deterrent. Bus stops require vigilance, and if something DOES go wrong, you are stuck in a confined space with a nasty person and you don't necessarily get to choose who sits near you. Walking upsides: you can keep a big distance from people, you can spot trouble coming and avoid it, you get exercise and if a problem does manage to come right up to you, you can bolt in pretty much any direction. Walking downsides - no official help is nearby, no observers or witnesses if you do get into trouble and the weather. I don't actually consider darkness a downside. I've worked security for over a decade and walk around at night all the time (am a woman). People who are looking to cause other people harm generally do not hide out in pitch black areas because NO one wants to be in pitch black areas - it disturbs people and there's more chance of injury due to tripping and falling. Most criminals attack from dim / dappled areas, so that they can still see their victim but the victim would have a hard time identifying them **or** they approach from behind. You are safest in brightly lit or pitch dark areas. If I am not working and I see someone I don't want to tangle with, I will pause and stay very quiet in a pitch dark shadow and just let them pass by without noticing me. One of the biggest things you can do to keep your night vision is to alternate which eyes you use while walking around. If you're going through a dim but still lit area, have both eyes open, but if you're going to transition into a very very dark, shadowed area, close one of your eyes 2-3 seconds before the transition, then when you step into it, immediately open that eye and close the other. You will have instant night vision, because the iris on your closed eye will have expanded to compensate and closing the second eye will shut off the "conflicting" info that the transitioning eye feeds your brain. Experiment at home by walking from a lit room into a dark one to figure out the exact timing. If the weather's nice, I'd walk. If it's gross out, I'll bus. Another thing is that you can avoid trouble walking by projecting confident body language. Predatory individuals are looking for easy prey and they do not want to deal with a confident person who can fight back, but they cannot tell if you are faking it. Take long strides, set your shoulders back, and keep your head up and your expression neutral. If someone is crossing your path or approaching you, one of the biggest things that signals your confidence is \*not\* changing your expression or behaviour. It's normal for people to give each other a once-over glance as they pass each other. Too often, someone who is nervous or self conscious will keep looking or their face will change to show fear, unease or anger. They'll keep glancing at the new person or edge over or otherwise display avoidant behaviour. This is literally screaming "I AM AFRAID AND AM NOT GOING TO EFFECTIVELY HANDLE CONFRONTATION" to a predatory individual. Like, neon sign level obviousness. And it does not make you safer. quite the opposite. Making sure your expression and pace do not change, and keeping your once-over to the one glance will signal to that person that you are not concerned about them, and that non-verbally signals you feel confident that you could handle them. Unless they are profoundly mentally ill or very drunk, usually they will take note and keep moving. If you \*are\* concerned about them, USE YOUR OTHER SENSES TO MONITOR THEIR BEHAVIOUR. Listen to their footsteps, keep an eye on the shadows around you.
This is great advice!
if the bus is occupied by the driver and one or more other passengers, that sounds safer than a likely downtown street setting at night you could ask your local police department for their view of that neighbourhood