20+ Public transit journeys that went off the rails: 'Dropped one of my wireless earbuds on the train tracks... 10 minutes into a 3 hour trip'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Feb 19, 2025 5:00 PM EST

Public transportation can be very hit-or-miss. On normal days, trains and buses arrive on time. You get on, ride to your destination, and barely register that you've been on board. But other days will make you regret ever setting foot on public transportation. From irritating people to delays to messy seats and floors, there are plenty of ways that a regular commute can become mildly infuriating. 

Recently, I was on the train in the early morning hour of 9:30 AM, heading to my job here, when I entered a nearly empty train car. A three-man band entered with me, bringing guitars and an accordion along with them. I thought, "They wouldn't play to just like four people in a subway car, right?" Wrong! Very wrong! Instead, the band began to play at top volume, echoing in the empty car. It was so loud and startling, and extremely unpleasant, since most of us on the train car looked half-asleep still! I know they're just busking, hoping for a few extra dollars, but I really don't think the two train riders who were jolted out of their sleep by the accordion appreciated their musical talents enough to tip them. That's just one thing that might befall you when you step foot onto public transportation, and the people below have their own mildly infuriating moments to share with us. 

After that, read about this poor 16-year-old who's already burnt out from working too hard, saying, "I quit my job and I told my parents I won't work again until I'm out of their house." 

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  • 01

    If only there were a sign to tell people where the bus stop is

    Bus driver drove right past me yesterday, said where I was standing wasn't a bus stop.... This is the second time one particular bus driver has driven right past me while waiting to go to work. He stopped for me at the next stop and proceeded to tell me that where I was waiting wasn't a bus stop?!?! H Bus Stop
    via u/gretchen92_

    Maybe the bus driver was just embarrassed and didn't want to admit he was wrong. Maybe he needs his eyes checked! Or maybe the route is just really out of date, but it seems unlikely… 

  • 02

    Poor guy, this is a real shame

    My boyfriend has just started a long train journey Are you on the train already? 00:46 ✓ (Geöffnet 00:47 I have only the box 00:47 00:47 00:47 1:73
    via u/HerrBreskes

    He's going to get very acquainted with the scenery outside! 

  • 03

    You better clean that up

    This pistachio eating a h le
    via u/MemeHermetic
  • 04

    Oh no!!!

    someone forgot their switch at the train station news stand. AIR JORDAN'S ESNEAKERS CHANGED GAME! ENO OP Enter The STAMPEDE LEAD THE VIP G SWEEPSTATE EXPECTS CHICAGO BLACKHAWK AN ILLUSTRATED
    via u/chupathingy99
  • 05

    This is awful

    @DB_Bahn do you consider this an acceptable way to operate a train? To be 100% clear, these are not people waiting to get off the train, this is hundreds of passengers (including me) who paid full price and were stuck standing or sitting on the floor for the full 5 hour journey
    via u/Tunisandwich
  • 06
    Greyhound cancelled my bus 30 minutes before I was supposed to leave while I was walking to the station Now I have to reschedule the orthodontist appointment I was going to and also my return trip tomorrow 11:44 AM Dear we regret to inform you Bus Station to Bus that your ride 3200836574 on 16.10.2024 from Station has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. You can book an alternative trip for free or ask for a refund here: We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
    via u/under_mimikyus_rag
  • 07
    You arrive 10 mins early for your train, the train gets cancelled, the next train is 25 mins away, and it arrives 15 mins late, and when the doors open you see this .......
    via u/[deleted]
  • 08

    Don't be this person, dim that phone brother

    Trying to sleep on an overnight bus, dude in front of me has his phone on full brightness. Dimmed phone to the left for scale.
    via u/tpham1206
  • 09
    Every train has been cancelled or delayed over the past two weeks, now all trains and buses are cancelled, leaving me with no way home A Line closed Road transport in operation 15.58:22 1
    via u/desolate_atrium
  • 10

    This is hilarious, unfortunately for everyone else

    Don't you hate it when you need to tap your train ticket but someone put a roasted chicken on the scanner? Tap off sed Circuit elevision Crveillance operation 24 hours C Do not ide bicycles ateboards or ollerblades
    via u/[deleted]

    No clue what this person was thinking when they disposed of their whole entire chicken for reasons unknown! 

  • 11
    NYC Subway signs FREE WI-FI Planned Service Changes MNIGHTS Mon to Thu Jun 12-15 Jun 19-22 Service ends early Take the Transfer to the orat Delancey/Essex Sts Approximate final departures to Metropolitan A Station 3451 Time HFM 8:50 WORK Signal Modernization BROADWAY- LAFAYETTE ST F M DOWNTOWN & BROOKLYN 2040 Planned Service Changes F NIGHTS 11:45 PM to 5 AM Mon to Fri, Jun 19-23 No trains at this station Take the O trains are rerouted via the in both directions between W 4 St and Jay St-Metro T
    via u/EinsteinInTheDesert
  • 12
    Waited 25 mins for a bus that supposed to show up every 7 mins...then 3 buses show up together Toronto's public transport system frustrates me to no end but I don't have any alternatives I can choose :(
    via u/retchedBreak
  • 13

    I wonder if he had his feet up on the seat, too

    Teenager sat opposite me on the train. Here's how he left his seat
    via u/Important-Ad4171
  • 14

    Absolutely not, I'd be heading to the front of the bus to strike up a conversation with the driver

    whole bus is empty and this person sits right next to me? (I don't like taking photos of strangers, so they are the black bookbag to my right) Street 1822
    via u/IbukiWasTaken
  • 15

    You could get claustrophobia just looking at this

    bus doesn't have enough leg room, and i'm 5ft (154cm) S FAISA
    via u/Strict_Bowl5762

    What do people who are 6 feet and taller do? Do they just stand? 

  • 16

    Not very mindful of them

    Trying to sleep on a long bus ride and this person has their phone on full brightness
    via u/sofssss
  • 17

    What a view

    This is my "window seat" on my 2 and a half hour train journey E 55-Window 56-Aisle
    via u/justaboredgamer
  • 18

    Why do people brush their hair over the seats like this?

    Just opened my redbull and took one sip on the mbta bus before this lady sat down in front of me and whipped her hair over the headrest causing pieces of either crispy hair or dried hair product to fall right into the opening... now holding this full can until I get to a bin.
    via u/KissTheChef1
  • 19

    Have you ever listened to someone play the viral "Oh no" audio clip over and over again?

    This dude and his girlfriend blasting TikToks at full blast on a 3 hour train ride. My wife and I are on our honeymoon in Italy and the jet lag has basically ruined our sleep schedule. No worries, we'll just sleep on the train, right? Nope! Instead, we get to listen to hours of Tik Tok audio courtesy of two apparently socially challenged, self-centered teens. When did it become okay to blast your phone while the people around you are clearly trying to sleep? Ugh.
    via u/cbn11

    Because I have, and it melted my brain after about two minutes of it! You can watch a video on repeat without the sound on. You already know what's going to happen; the "Oh no" sound just isn't necessary anymore. 

  • 20
    Got fined £75 for accidentally getting on the wrong train Not only am I on the wrong train, but I'm paying £100 for it Penalty Fare: £125.80 Amount Paid: £0.00 Amount Due: £75,80 if paid by 22/05/2023
    via u/[deleted]
  • 21

    Condolences

    Dropped one of my wireless earbuds on the train tracks all of 10 minutes into the 3 hour trip
    via u/lostinthesauceband
  • 22
    the "window" seat I booked for my 6 hour train journey 06-Window B 05-Aisle Respect social distancing Thank you. up for acc today
    via u/classicgeri
  • 23

    Let's end this on a good note

    She tried to hold the doors with her dinner in her hands. She missed the train, but her dinner didn't.
    via u/old_gold_mountain

    This person reports that they didn't have much to do, so they waited until the next train came along and gave the food back to it's rightful owner. As one commenter wrote, "That's like a decades worth of good karma there." So true, a very thoughtful thing to do! 

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Tags

commute annoying public transportation busses mildly infuriating infuriating trains train bus irritating morning commute
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