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GargantuanWitch t1_iya1jsq wrote

Know what you could do that would kill two birds with one stone?

Ride the bus and ask people if they'd submit to an interview!

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iyavbal wrote

thank you so much! Sadly, we need to use different forms of connection for each source. I interviewed a bus driver on the bus and therefore that style of interview for the project is already checked off :( I tried waiting at the bus stop to interview people, but no one was interested, that's why I turned to digital connection for this source.

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ricksebak t1_iyb08yp wrote

Years ago I was gathering signatures for a petition drive and I personally got over 100 people to sign just from approaching people at bus stops. It was probably one of the most productive places to find people. Two suggestions:

  1. When you approach someone, make sure to state right off the bat that your work seeks to improve transit for riders (if indeed that’s true). People who depend on transit have an incentive to go along with the interview if your work will indirectly help the riders that you interview.
  2. Downtown has the highest concentration of bus stops and bus riders, so do it there. Don’t camp out at only one stop either, circulate.
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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iyb0g1e wrote

thank you so much!! I will definitely keep this in mind, Im hoping to head downtown this weekend and find sources.

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mccaffeine t1_iybl4oa wrote

What other kinds of connections can you use? If you need an advocacy/expert source, you could try reaching out to someone with Pittsburghers for Public Transit or BikePGH. Good luck with your assignment!

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iydcglj wrote

I have an interview with the Pittsburghers for Public Transit this Friday! I will definitely reach out to BikePGH though, thank you so much for the advice.

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saltyt00th t1_iya8jsg wrote

Cornering someone on public transportation/waiting for a bus for an interview feels so aggressive to me.

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GargantuanWitch t1_iyad3mh wrote

If you do it aggressively, sure. But that's not at all what I said.

Asking a polite question is not "cornering someone on public transportation" and if one were to conduct an interview as an assignment, one should assume that they'd be able to handle a simple "no" rejection and not be an asshole about it.

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saltyt00th t1_iyadd5r wrote

You can’t exactly leave a bus once a stranger approaches you. And how would you like it if someone stopped you on your way to your car to ask about your transportation habits?

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GargantuanWitch t1_iyagz9f wrote

Uh, I'd say "Not interested" and go about my day like I, and countless others, have done since we were born? You know, the way you deflect a social interaction in which you don't want to participate.

Have you never told anyone "No" before? This is an honest question.

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saltyt00th t1_iyahrxx wrote

I have and I’ve also been approached by a lot of weirdos in public.

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FartSpeller t1_iyatmvm wrote

This is a 20ish year old girl who’s about to graduate college. I wouldn’t expect many bus riders to be intimidated by this person.

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nonymiz t1_iyabjr1 wrote

And maybe even dangerous.

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GargantuanWitch t1_iyadaif wrote

"Hi, I'm a journalism student, can I ask you a few questions for an assignment? I don't need any personal info."

I highly doubt this sentence would result in violence on a bus. If you truly believe this, do the rest of us a favor and never leave your home.

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JustTryingMyBestWPA t1_iyabtmg wrote

The bus that I ride is often pretty noisy. Also, I think that people would be hesitant to give out private information on a bus, to a stranger, with a lot of other people listening. For instance, I wouldn't want to give out my name and information about my commute while I am actually on the bus. I would be afraid that someone would overhear, and thus endanger my safety when I get off of the bus and walk to my car, or follow me home.

tl; dr: I think that this is a terrible idea.

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GargantuanWitch t1_iyaclsj wrote

To each their own, but I'd feel more comfortable speaking with a stranger in the company of many other people (on the actual bus) than I would in a one-on-one situation.

Regardless, no one should be asking for nor giving out their personal info, even for an "interview."

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saltyt00th t1_iyad44e wrote

I don’t think it was ever implied that OP wanted to meet face to face or ask for identifying info.

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GargantuanWitch t1_iyah9vf wrote

If you're not doing something in public, then the other option is...

Help me out, here.

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saltyt00th t1_iyahwbk wrote

The… internet.

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GargantuanWitch t1_iydn7hi wrote

Yes, the internet. Which is clearly working so well already, based on the fact that almost every reply from OP is that they don't know how to use Reddit.

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leadfoot9 t1_iyakeho wrote

This is a good suggestion. Don't listen to the people who want to live in a hole and Tweet society into oblivion.

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Puzzleheaded-Equal70 t1_iyapno9 wrote

I'm a bus commuter with a 55 minute bus ride each way. Feel free to send me a message

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iyauo48 wrote

hi! im having some technical difficulties using reddit and having so many chats. If I give you my email would you be comfortable there?

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MikeyP-89 t1_iyarmup wrote

I ride the bus 20+ min a few times a week. Happy to help

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iyaup3o wrote

hi! im having some technical difficulties using reddit and having so many chats. If I give you my email would you be comfortable there?

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B0bb3r7 t1_iyaknut wrote

Try posting to r/bicycling412 and r/CarIndependentPGH, too.

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NebbyJohnny t1_iyaohmm wrote

You can send me a DM if you like, I commute from the South Side to Bakery Square by bicycle and bus. Depends on the weather.

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iyaun8u wrote

hi! im having some technical difficulties using reddit and having so many chats. If I give you my email would you be comfortable there?

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MaybeADumbass t1_iyap4f5 wrote

I'm a bike commuter and would be happy to answer questions.

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iyaunnb wrote

hi! im having some technical difficulties using reddit and having so many chats. If I give you my email would you be comfortable there?

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MaybeADumbass t1_iyavztk wrote

Sure that's fine.

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[deleted] OP t1_iyawej4 wrote

[removed]

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AgentG91 t1_iyaxn5g wrote

Jesus. You gotta get these off the internet. You can’t just post your private email to a public website. Bots scan pages like this and will demolish your inbox

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iyaxsbh wrote

I totally understand, but pitt is securely protected and I made a new gmail for this. thank you though for the concern its very kind, but promise I did think ahead.

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JustTryingMyBestWPA t1_iyabkp0 wrote

Hi there: I ride the bus approximately 1 hour each way, 3 days a week. You can ask me questions.

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DungeonMaster17 t1_iyae2w6 wrote

Sure I ride the bus to school. Ask me your questions.

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leadfoot9 t1_iyakik7 wrote

You can send me a chat request.

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iyaums2 wrote

hi! im having some technical difficulties using reddit and having so many chats. If I give you my email would you be comfortable there?

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Hugh__Janus t1_iyb7mrz wrote

I bike/bus to work, would love to answer some questions 👍

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iybag0k wrote

Hi! is there anyway you could message me? im new to reddit for this project and still trying to figure all of this out. Id love the opportunity to get to talk to a commuter like you with multiple styles.

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718GTM t1_iyb9a6t wrote

I rode the bus when i first moved here. Took about two hours to get from Dormont to Robinson. It sucked. I can answer questions.

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iybabry wrote

is there any way you could message me? Im new to reddit and cannot figure out how to have multiple chats, but this is exactly what I am looking for and it would be amazing to interview you.

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CesarEmmanuel t1_iybg6d0 wrote

Hello Haley! I'd be happy to answer some of your questions; feel free to message me! I am also a college student in Pittsburgh and take a 60+ minute bus ride (I can provide you with more details about exactly where I go)

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iybggnp wrote

is there any chance you could message me? im new to reddit and am not able to navigate it too well, but I would love the chance to get to talk to you with some formal questions tomorrow!!

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queenoftheidiots t1_iybq8ld wrote

There is a study the US Census does called the American Community Survey. One of the questions is about commenting to work, how people do it, when they leave, how long commutes are and if driving if they do it alone or with others. I think they break it down by zip codes or municipalities. That could be helpful.

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MagikSparkles t1_iydajmc wrote

Just bike and bus? What about the T?

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iydau5x wrote

my focus is on bike and bus, but im also looking for a few quotes from other commuters from the T or walkers or drivers. If you could message me it would be highly appreciated!

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MagikSparkles t1_iydb1zp wrote

I don’t take any transportation… unless my stairs count. Just was curious why the T was left out.

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iydc36z wrote

its mainly because the final is supposed to be about a topic that impacts Oakland, where the majority of students live. Public transport seemed applicable in the sense of biking and buses, and I already completed some sources on those electric scooters that cause a lot of chaos down here. Sadly though, no T near Forbes or fifth that impacts students life daily

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MagikSparkles t1_iyddgl2 wrote

I know some people who take the T and then take a bus as well. So you never know.

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iyddrf1 wrote

I never thought of that! thank you so much, that would definitely be an interesting page about people who take two different types of transportation.This could be a huge break on this topic, im so appreciative!

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GargantuanWitch t1_iydnrkv wrote

A significant portion of people who live in areas close to park and ride lots actually drive a short distance, then get on a bus, THEN do a bit of walking to their final destination. Or biking. Had plenty of people ride the bus in from Forest Hills, with a bike, and get off at Penn Station when I was riding the bus.

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CalamityCactus t1_iydefjw wrote

I bike and bus to work almost every day. Please feel free to send me your email.

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Careless-Cost4991 t1_iydelia wrote

hi! thank you so much for your response!! Is there any way you could message me on here?

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