Are you allowed to go barefoot on the bus?

Question

I have caught buses barefoot previously and usually this has been okay. Not sure if there is any general rule as I wouldn't want to get stuck somewhere and not be able to get home. I hardly ever wear shoes

Answer 1

i have never been bugged about it

Answer 2

I wouldn't want to go barefoot  (unless perhaps at the beach) I did once (not on a bus but then I accidentally step on a silver of glass (OUCH!)  so small

the doctor almost couldn't find it)

but it hurt! plus what if you step in some mud? or what

if you accidentally step in dog dodo? (if you have shoes

its a lot easier to clean up )

and some transit agencies *might say no shoes no service

(why chance it?)

Answer 3

Gross.. Just buy some shoes.

Answer 4

I travel by public transport every day for eleven years (usually the train, sometimes the bus) and it's never a problem. Nor has going barefoot anywhere else been a problem here in Europe.

Unfortunately some US bus companies do seem to have a policy against it -but others do not. I've heard from US barefooters who've looked up their local bus companies' policies after being refused access to the bus, and results varied from discovering there was indeed a policy requiring shoes, to finding out that the bus driver mistakingly thought there was and getting an apology from the bus company's office for being kicked off. So if you're in the US, you'll have to look up your local bus company's website or they may have a flyer with the rules.

Injury isn't a serious risk. In those eleven years of going barefoot, I get a tiny splinter maybe once a year, I've never had a cut. I don't think I got even one of those few splinters at the train station even though I'm often in a hurry, often at a dead run, and there's lots of litter. It's probably a greater risk when you're normally shod and only take off your shoes one time perhaps because they are hurting your feet, but when you're habitually barefoot, your soles get very tough, much tougher than I would've believed when I started, too.

Mud comes off very easily and I have to disagree on the dog poo being easier to clean off shoes; I've stepped in it both shod and barefoot and find it's much easier to wash off the bare skin than off many kinds of shoes...dress shoes with slick soles might be easy but trainers/walking shoes with profile soles are a pain and so are suede shoes, much worse than bare skin! Also barefoot you're sure to notice and won't track it in, if there's one thing worse than cleaning dog poo off my foot it's cleaning dog poo off my shoe, the door mat, and the carpet. I'm sure the bus driver will also appreciate if you notice it so you can clean it off before getting on his bus, rather than discovering it halfway through the trip when the person across the alley points it out to you! :-)

As for respect, unfortunately many people equate an alternative habit or way of dress with lack of respect. I think our differences make life more interesting and colorful, and as far as bare feet in particular are concerned, I find the gentle, soft step a much *more* respectful way of walking than stomping around in a heavy shoe. It makes us aware of our surroundings and of Mother Earth, even on man-made surfaces.

And why does everyone keep bringing up Brittney, she wears shoes most of the time and only went barefoot a few times when she was out of it... there are other celebrities who are not drunk, gross or dirty and go barefoot sometimes, and lots of people who're drunk and doing drugs who keep their shoes on. Please look at the page in the source and you'll discover that judging regular barefooters by Brittney Spears isn't any more fair than judging all dark-haired women by Amy Winehouse.

Answer 5

i don't think they'd not allow barefeet, but then again - there's respect too, yo.

Answer 6

well gross.  i wouldn't want to be barefoot on a bus.  unless your britney spears.

Answer 7

I've never ridden local buses but I have been on Greyhound barefoot and had no problem. Purchased tickets, got some snacks, waited around the stations, all barefoot and no hassels.

Answer 8

I didn't walk on the school bus, but I was on a schoool bus barefoot a few times.