William Hui, a 40-year-old systems engineer from Vancouver, has always been captivated by public transportation. This fascination led him to embark on a unique challenge: traveling from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Tijuana, Mexico, using only public buses and trains.
Starting his journey on June 24th, Hui adhered to strict rules—no Greyhound buses, no Amtrak trains, and minimal walking between bus stops. His nine-day adventure took him along the US Pacific coast, relying on an intricate web of public transit systems.
Hui’s interest in such journeys isn’t new. In 2013, he attempted a similar trip but was stopped short in Salem, Oregon, due to a lack of transit options connecting northern and central California. This year, however, a newly established bus route linking Eureka and Ukiah provided the “missing link” that allowed him to finally complete his journey to Mexico.
Despite the many challenges, including dealing with buses that still only accept cash, Hui managed to keep his trip under $200. Along the way, he was amazed by the stunning Oregon coastline and the majestic redwoods of northern California.
Hui, who works at Vancouver’s TransLink, emphasized that his journey was more about the experience than the destination. He was struck by how essential public transit is to the communities it serves and was surprised by the minimal delays, even in traffic-heavy cities like Los Angeles.
For those considering a similar adventure, Hui advises thorough research, packing light, and planning bathroom breaks carefully. His final piece of advice: always know when the next bus is coming.
