Planning A Group Trip? Take the Train Instead.

The social aspect of taking public transit in groups is often overlooked, among other benefits.

Planning A Group Trip? Take the Train Instead.
Credit: Keira Burton on Pexels

Where should we meet up?

It’s a question anyone planning a social event faces. Often groups settle on a simpler option: everyone should just meet at the destination. Many time, people end up driving alone just to get to a meet-up. I’d like to propose an alternative.

Unlike driving to and from a social gathering or a hangout, taking the train or bus makes the travel to the actual event a part of the experience. Instead of being the usual, boring commute, traveling becomes a social interaction that can be shared with the entire group. What used to be a fragmented group of lone travelers becomes a family, all traveling and living in the same moment.

Even carpooling just isn’t the same experience. There’s just something special about being in a shared space, being able to face each other and really talk, without distractions. In a world of screens and distractions, it can be really hard to have everyone active in a group. One person might be driving, another person looking out the window, and another just watching short videos on their phone. On the train, though, no one is driving. Everyone is right next to each other, face to face, all in close proximity, without the barrier of seats or the stress of driving. The train brings everyone together, and reminds us the real point of friends: to enjoy each other’s company and, most importantly, be together and share some of life’s short experiences.

And, plus, taking the train can be far less stressful than driving. Going to a bar? No need to worry about who’s going to drive you back, because the train or bus operator will be in charge of that. Late at night? No need to worry about a late-night accident, or the uncertainty of driving at night. Plus, you’ll still have the group’s company up until the very last leg of your trip.

Even when everyone’s tired and ready to leave, the trip back can be an amazing social experience. Instead of immediately breaking apart the group, social interactions are extended past the end of the event. Everyone gets to enjoy each other’s company, for a just a little bit longer, past the end. It’s a far more rewarding end to a social event than driving home alone, remembering and already missing the past.

So, the next time you’re planning a trip, tell your group: “Let’s take the train!” Take a leap into the unknown, and you’ll see just how special it can be when part of the trip is the travel.

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