Falling Asleep On Trains/Buses
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
March 28, 2011 7:08pm CST
Have you ever done this..then missed your stop? What happened?
I have fallen asleep on trains many times, especially coming home from work when I commuted from Layton, Blackpool to Preston, then back again. I always woke up just before my stop at Layton. Subconsciously I probably thought that if I DID miss my stop it would be a pain getting back again, usually involving a bus as I couldn't be sure the train would stop at Layton on the way back.
A friend of mine lived at the place before me called Poulton-le-Fylde (yes, it does sound pretentious doesn't it) and, before I started commuting..she often missed her stop and what she did was stay on the train once it reached Blackpool, as she knew it was coming back the other way. Fortunately, most trains coming out of Blackpool stop at Poulton but not all stopped at Layton which is why I had to take the bus back if I caught the direct train to Blackpool instead of the one I should be on. Confusing isn't it?
Another time I was on a train at Preston and (at the very last minute) an announcement came telling us all to get off as it was going to Colne. Usually this train is on the platform next to us but not on that day!
You have to be so on the ball at train stations! Don't always believe what you see on the screens up above as Goblins mess with them on many occasions, trying to catch us out. I nearly always ask a guard (usually hiding in his office) if I see something on the screen that doesn't look right.
So, have you fallen asleep and missed your station? Did you ever do it again after that lol.
7 people like this
29 responses
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Mar 11
Missed my station for other reasons, but not because I fell asleep!
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Mar 11
Well there was the time I was going to Cardiff and I had to change trains in Bristol and nobody told me there were two train stations there...
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
This is the UK I take it? I've not experienced those stations you mention but I've made a note of it..just in case!
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47334)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
29 Mar 11
Yes, once in the 80s, I fell asleep on the bus on my way to work. Woke up at the end of the line, which luckily was only a few stops past where I would have gotten off. So I transferred to a returning bus and was only a few minutes later than usual.
The reason I fell asleep was that I was on new medication that kinda zombiefied me. Now, when I feel that way, I say I've left my brain on the bus (in a brown paper bag)...
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
My Mum leaves her brain on the bus regularly but not because she's on medication (God forbid if she was) but because she's er, daft!
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
29 Mar 11
we are about 45 minutes away from Toronto, Canada and my hubby used to work there every day and for him, it was cheaper to take the bus (we have a government run network of trains and buses because a ton of people live outside of the city but commute to Toronto) and he used to fall asleep almost all the time but fortunately, his stop was the last one, but he said that the driver had to wake him up more than once! lol!
@CynergyDiva (805)
• Canada
31 Mar 11
Where we live Janey, the seniors don't get that much of a break. My Mum's monthly bus pass keeps going up. Full fare is 65$ and I think Mum said her pass just went up to 40$. Thankfully these days I have a car, so I just drive her. She doesn't get much of a pension.
xoxo
Cyne
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Mar 11
Haha! Government run buses, how wonderful. I wish we had that over here although pensioners travel for nothing, on the buses. This is annoying as most don't even bother but still have their free pass! People like me (who have to pay) are ripped off as a consequence...oh, and lots of bus services have been cut recently, so that doesn't help either.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
30 Mar 11
I've never fallen asleep on a train or a bus but I have missed my stop before. However, in my defense I was only about 7 years old at the time! LOL
When I was growing up, my mom and I would visit my dad sometimes (back when they were still married) while he was at work. Whenever we'd visit we'd go by train to get there. One time my mom had taken a nap during the trip. Before she did, she made sure to tell me the name of our stop. She also told me to wake her up right before we got there...
I tried my best to remember, but with reading all the different names from each station we passed I got confused and forgot the name of our stop! I was afraid that my mom would get upset with me for forgetting or for waking her up just to ask her the name of our stop...especially seeing as she told me it more than once! So I just let her sleep instead.
When she finally woke up she just laughed about it and decided to enjoy the ride. So we went all the way to the end of the line. Once we got there we headed back in the opposite direction. This time my mom was awake so we were able to get off at the correct place.
It's the only time I know of that we've missed our stop...
Happy mylotting!
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
1 Apr 11
Nope, she wasn't charged. The trains we'd take don't operate that way.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Mar 11
Aww I think it's so sweet that your Mum didn't get mad at you and just let you enjoy the trip. Obviously, she wasn't charged for over-riding which can happen here if there's a jobsworth checking tickets.
Happy MyLotting to you too!
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
•
29 Mar 11
Hi Janey... Yes, I have done this before a few times, but it is strange how the mind works. I always wake up when it is time to get off the train. It is the same thing if I fall asleep in front of the TV.. I always wake up at the end of the film, when it is usually time for bed anyway!. I have taken to recording TV films now so that I can watch them again. _Derek
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
29 Mar 11
Hi Derek, I do that a lot too. Always wake right at the end for some reason and then spend another 5 minutes staring at the screen wondering what happened before I drag myself off to bed!
@Sydalg242811 (380)
• Baguio, Philippines
1 Apr 11
halu Janey,
i'm smiling when reading this,becoz i remember my husband's cousin who lived with us almost six years,we consider him as a true member of our family,we love him and treated him as our younger brother,i don't think so if this is the wright word to use but we call him the sleepy man (LOL),yes my dear as i'm telling this i can't go on smiling,(haha),yah becoz i'm imagining his style,even though he is sitting he goes sleep immediately,standing position,ironing his clothes,cooking,hahaha he is so funny,riding on a jeepney,on taxi,that's why i should keep my eyes always on him to prevent accident.
but,now he is working and far away with us,we really miss him a lots, specially my kids miss him much,becoz even though he had an attitude like that,he his very kind, understanding,lovable to my kids,and industrious,and he is always happy man.GOD always BLESSES him,and give him a long life.
thanks so much
BLESS YOU
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
1 Apr 11
Awww he sounds lovely! My Grandad used to sleep easier than most. He'd be "away with the pixies" as we call it in a few seconds once he was sat in a comfortable position.
@Sydalg242811 (380)
• Baguio, Philippines
6 Apr 11
halu Janey,
hmmm seems like we missed special person to us(hehe).
GOD BLESS
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
29 Mar 11
I haven't done this. I find it very hard to sleep during any kind of travel. My father on the other hand..well he can sleep anywhere. More than once he has gotten on a plane, taken his seat. He then falls asleep and doesn't wake up until landing. I think that is amazing.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
Planes are one mode of transport I just can't sleep on so yes, your Dad is amazing. I wish I could sleep on long-haul flights but, try as I might, I find it impossible!
@melvelasco (356)
• Philippines
29 Mar 11
Absolutely yes, I've done this many time. actually last two days ago, I went to my friends home ha ha ha ha ha ha I was so embarrassed when I woke up.. I stop to bus station, 1 meter away from my destination...when I tell this situation to my husband he got angry and told me to never do that again...I don't know why maybe he got worried.. That time I was very tired for the daily routine of my agenda at home.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
If you're tired, you're tired, isn't that right my friend? I often worry about my hubby driving his car to and from work as his job is tiring enough as it is without having to drive 20 miles each way.
@ckyera (17331)
• Philippines
29 Mar 11
hi Janey!
yeah, I also experience falling asleep on buses, actually I usually fall asleep especially on long trips, it helps me to avoid feeling sick! lol! But thankfully, I never experienced missing my stop, I don't know but usually I woke up few minutes before my stop...hehe maybe because I don't really sleep that deep to miss my station.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
I suppose it's like a power nap isn't it? I read somewhere that having a siesta in the afternoon is actually good for the brain, so the Spaniards have got the right idea in taking them. No matter whether I work or not I ALWAYS get tired at around 3pm. It's horrible! Good job I don't travel on trains at that time, I'd be well away!
@sublime03 (2339)
• Philippines
30 Mar 11
Back then when I take the cab I would not sleep at all. The reason for me not sleeping is because I do not want anything bad to happen to me. I have heard so many bad things happening to people who sleep and so I kept my word to myself to never ever fall asleep when I am riding public transportation. But nowadays I hardly ride public transportations so I can say I do not miss the place I need to go to because I drive going to it.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Mar 11
It's awful that someone would be attacked (or worse) just because they slept on a public transport, whatever that method of transport may be. Sorry state of affairs my friend.
I often worry that my husband will fall asleep at the wheel of his car on his way back from work. Silly of me to think that way but I care about his well-being.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
29 Mar 11
I find it hard to fall sleep on transportation. I would constantly worr if i didn't wake to get off on my stop. it would be embarrassing to try to explain how i slept through my desintation.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
I'm not sure if they charge people for over-riding as it's called, in this country. My argument would be..well, why didn't you wake me up then? Haha!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
I know what you mean. I find it hard falling asleep on flights as well, even long-haul ones. Frightened of missing something!
1 person likes this
@deadfieldy (131)
•
29 Mar 11
Well, got lots of experience in this.. Mostly im drunk.=)
But the one i can never forget is when I was riding a bus on the way home. It will take me an hour to my house.. its 11pm.. I woke up almost 2am in the morning and the bus is still on the road.. when I asked the driver.. I was 5 towns away from my house.. and when the bus got to its terminal.. I have to go down and wait until 8am.. Because its the next trip.. I waited there all night long. alone and very frustrated.. and of course its my fault so.. theres no one to blame but me..
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
Oh dear, that's not good is it? I can't understand why no-one tried waking you up though. Surely the driver knew your true destination?
@deadfieldy (131)
•
30 Mar 11
Yes the driver knew because before the bus depart passengers pay and tell where the destination is..Imagine how i felt when im trying to wait the morning to come.. if only i could punch the driver that day.. hahah. just kidding..
@bigplay (212)
• United States
29 Mar 11
Well, when i was in highschool years ago, i fell asleep on the bus. It was morning and i was going to school, but thankfully the girl behind tapped me on the shoulder and asked if i missed my stop.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
Where would you have ended up if that kind girl hadn't tapped you on the shoulder like that?
@zukichucha (991)
• United States
29 Mar 11
I have fallen asleep a few times on the train and it is definitely a hassle. You have to sit and wait for the train to head back in that direction. Or you have to get off and take the train in the opposite direction back to your stop. It is time-consuming and annoying. It sucks especially when you are tired from just waking up and realizing what happened!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
Oh dear, that's unfortunate. You'd think there would be "sleep police" going round waking everyone up but it's a miracle if you ever see conductors on trains now..only the jobsworths for commuters!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
Hi cream97! Believe me, the soothing sound of the train would definitely send you to sleep lol.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16761)
• China
29 Mar 11
So far as I can remember,such a thing have not happened to me.No matter whether train or bus,if I get off it midway,I keep my mind on every stop meanwhile I keep reading lest I should fall asleep;but there again if it is destination,I set my mind at rest and do what I like.It is no wonder that when the train or bus starts off,It is like a big cradle ,few people can stand being drowsy.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
The thing with the Preston to Blackpool train is that it takes less than half an hour. If I'd missed my Layton stop it would run on to Blackpool but, coming back there is no guarantee that it would stop at Layton, so the bus would have to be caught from Town instead. I have only done this when I've chosen to take the direct train as I was sick of waiting for mine. Fortunately, they're more efficient now although I don't live there anymore. I miss the buzz of travelling and work but it's all in the past. I don't live in the area so I've got to make the most of what I have now..which isn't a lot, apart from a husband and a cat.
1 person likes this
@sathishkumar3660 (325)
• India
29 Mar 11
Normally while travelling in bus or train i don't get sleep at all, even night times also i don't sleep. May be half hour or something, i would sleep thats it. But i see many start to sleep as soon as they sit in seat while traveling. One year back one of my relation slept in bus and left his stop and got down 5 km beyond, then came back walking to home around 11pm in night.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
Haha! I know what you mean about people falling asleep as soon as they sit down on their seats. I'm not that bad but if I don't have anyone to talk to (especially no-one I know) then I tend to nod off..but only for about 10 minutes or so. I always manage to wake up way before my stop..like an internal clock.
That's a shame about your relative having to walk home. I wouldn't fancy that one bit!
@sirish265 (24)
• United States
29 Mar 11
hey janey, i have fallen asleep on a bus a couple of times before and have missed my stop and landed about 30 miles away from where i was supposed to be at. so yeah i have done it multiple times.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Mar 11
Hi and welcome to MyLot! 30 miles away is a long way from your stop my friend. I hope you managed to get back home in a reasonable time.