Should I pick bus with one transfer or light rail for my downtown commute?

[DavidVP]

I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to get from my new apartment to the downtown office, and I’m stuck between taking the bus with one transfer or the light rail which is a longer walk on both ends. The real puzzle is whether the extra walking time is worth the guaranteed seat and avoiding a potential missed connection on the bus route.

[RichardVM]

I tried the bus with one transfer last week. It was crowded, and the transfer window was tight. I sprinted between platforms and still barely caught the second bus. I ended up standing most of the ride and wondered if I should have just walked.

[JosephTM]

The rail option does give a guaranteed seat, but the longer walk on both ends really eats into the benefit. I did a rough check once and ended up with about the same total time, except you aren’t sure you’ll avoid a missed connection.

[JonathanS]

Do you actually need to be there at a precise time every day, or could you tolerate a small delay if it means staying comfortable?

[Charles.W]

I drifted off topic for a minute and biked part of the way, then walked the rest, just to test the pace. It didn’t settle anything, but it did make me notice a few shops along the route and how the neighborhood smells at different times.