In a twist that would make a soap opera jealous, private shuttle buses and tour buses are stepping in like unlikely heroes. The “Sunset Beach Hop-On Tour” now offers a detour to the hospital for a bargain $15. It’s not the same, but you might learn a fun fact about the city’s architecture while stuck in traffic.
Also, regional buses from neighboring counties are not on strike—yet. So if you can walk 20 minutes to the suburb of Pleasantville, you can catch a bus that smells faintly of lavender and anxiety. Pro tip: bring a snack, because the ride will take three hours instead of one.
Bus strikes begin in south and west London - BBC News
A Quick Guide to Surviving the Strike
First, check your app—but don’t expect miracles. Twitter is now a more reliable source than the official transit site, because the transit site is just a photo of a hamster sleeping. Second, form a carpool with coworkers, even if you hate their taste in podcasts. Desperate times call for desperate, mediocre audio experiences.
And finally, embrace the walk. You might discover a bakery you’ve never noticed, or realize that your legs actually work. I once walked four miles during a strike and found a squirrel that looked like it was judging me. That squirrel was a better travel companion than the bus driver from last Tuesday.
