Any public transportation commuters out there?

[enwar3]

Anybody regularly take the bus or subway or something to work? From your point of view, is there some kind of gift that would make the commute a little more interesting or pleasant? I have a friend who goes to college in the city and takes the bus there every day so I was hoping to get them something that would make their day a little more pleasant.

 

[aesthetics]

No no, we all drive expensive import cars with our supermodel wives..........

Edit: Maybe an ipod or some sort of little TV-watching device?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I have a small bus ride almost daily. If it was a long trip I would want to have some music to listen to.

Sometimes I wish I had one of these since my but stop doesn't have a bench and I've had to stand out there for 45 minutes occasionally.
http://www.everywherechair.com/sportseat-cane-seat.html
Of course that's rather ridiculous

 

[GenHoth]

An MP3 player is the best bet. Or a good book

 

[LilPima]

That is very thoughtful of you!

-An ipod or other MP3 player, if they already have one maybe an Itunes card.
-A nice umbrella for bad weather, or a bag large enough to carry their books/belongings.
-DD, Starbucks, ABP gift card so they can grab something hot on the way to class (whatever is the closest to their stop, or whatever they prefer)

I'm really pretty anti-giftcard though, but just trying to brainstorm for you .

 

[enwar3]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I hadn't thought of the gift card idea.... there are some nice coffee shops around school there.

My friend already has an ipod. And I don't even have enough money to buy myself an ipod =(

Any other suggestions out there?

 

[her209]

Nintendo DS Lite

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: aesthetics
No no, we all drive expensive import cars with our supermodel wives..........

Edit: Maybe an ipod or some sort of little TV-watching device?

Interesting.

 

[nismotigerwvu]

MP3 player all the way.
I'm always listening to my Zune waiting for the bus to swing by my apartment or on the ride into town.
Look into the durable and inexpensive sandisk one.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: enwar3
Thanks for the suggestions so far! I hadn't thought of the gift card idea.... there are some nice coffee shops around school there.

My friend already has an ipod. And I don't even have enough money to buy myself an ipod =(

Any other suggestions out there?

Better headphones? :evil:

 

[enwar3]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: enwar3
Thanks for the suggestions so far! I hadn't thought of the gift card idea.... there are some nice coffee shops around school there.

My friend already has an ipod. And I don't even have enough money to buy myself an ipod =(

Any other suggestions out there?

Better headphones? :evil:

Haha I definitely thought about that too! ...but headphone preference is a very personal thing =D

 

[venkman]

I live near a city whose "public transportation" is a "train" whose route is roughly a mile loop.

Doesn't really get much done.

We call it the people mover.

Smells like Hobo

 

[Leros]

An Audible membership, so they can download audiobooks.

 

[ChaoZ]

Earplugs or just a mp3 player to drown out the noise.

 

[Syringer]

I agree with the music suggestions--I have a smart phone and used to just go through my RSS reader on it when I took a train to work.

 

[DVad3r]

I rode the bus/streetcar/subway for 14 years. Music is the best choice, so in the event he doesn't have a good mp3 player def get him one. Other then that give him cash so he can buy his next months pass (here they cost $ 100 bucks).

 

[DVad3r]

If his commutes aren't too crowded then a book is also good. Gift cert to a bookstore.

 

[Baked]

Noise cancellation headphone, IEM, or a MP3 player if he doesn't already have one. I'd suggest getting him some mid range IEM. I don't take the bus to work, 'cause I'm within walking distance to the subway station, about 2 miles. IEM is great for the train ride 'cause it blocks out all the noise. I rather not read a book during my commute, I like listening to music or audio book during my commute. I would listen to NPR, but no signal underground.

 

[zinfamous]

I commuted for ~4 years daily. subscription to the New Yorker was the greatest thing for me. Weekly does of kick-ass articles for a measly 40 clams per anum.

Oh, and mace is also good.

 

[masterxfob]

other than a music player or something to read, maybe a pair of gloves, a scarf, or earmuffs might be nice for those chilly mornings.

 

[Locut0s]

If they like music and don't have one yet then an MP3 player. If they're like the and don't listen to much music but like gaming then a DS or PSP. Actually you could kill 2 birds with 1 stone with the PSP as it's also something of an MP3 player.

edit oops sorry didn't see the cash strapped issue. When it comes to longer public transit commutes nothing beats reading you know. Magazine subscription? Some books?

 

[walkur]

A good book

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Originally posted by: aesthetics
No no, we all drive expensive import cars with our supermodel wives..........

Edit: Maybe an ipod or some sort of little TV-watching device?

BBack when i lived in DC, I used to watch tv shows on my ipod video, and it was great. My commute was just enough to watch 1 half hour episode of tv each way. I ended up watching the first three seasons of Lost that way.

 

[dabuddha]

Been taking a combination of "subway"/bus for the last 6 years. Depends on what they like but a music player would be nice. I personally started playing my PSP on a daily basis. Maybe a decent pair of ear buds?

 

[AmberClad]

I used to ride the DC Metro into work. I second the suggestion for IEMs -- 1) blocks out outside noise, 2) no one else has to hear the crappy music leaking out of your earbuds . There are some Sennheiser ones that are fairly inexpensive now.

People still suggesting iPods/MP3 players apparently didn't see the OP's post that the person already has one...