Man Completes Epic Journey from Canada to Mexico Using Only Public Transportation
William Hui has been captivated by public transportation for as long as he can remember. So, it was only natural that the 40-year-old systems engineer would challenge himself to travel from his hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia, all the way to Tijuana, Mexico, using nothing but public buses and trains.
On June 24, Hui embarked on his ambitious nine-day journey along the US Pacific coast. He set a few strict rules for himself: no Greyhound buses or Amtrak trains, and minimal walking between bus stops.
“I never had to walk more than about 15 minutes between bus stops on this trip,” Hui shared with the BBC. “It was incredible to see how various transit services connected, especially in rural areas.”
This wasn’t Hui’s first unconventional adventure. In 2013, he attempted a similar trip, hoping to travel as far south as possible from Vancouver. However, he only made it to Salem, Oregon. “I wanted to keep going, but there was no transit connecting Oregon to central California,” he explained.
Earlier this year, Hui discovered a new bus route that bridged this gap. The four-hour journey from Eureka in northern California to Ukiah, a city located two hours north of San Francisco, was the “missing link” that allowed him to finally complete the trip all the way to Mexico, more than a decade later.
Hui noted how much had changed since his initial attempt, particularly the improvements in public transit. More buses now offer WiFi and accept credit or debit cards, although some still require cash. “I went to a currency exchange before the trip and got fifty $1 bills so I would always have exact change,” he said.
He also observed the stark differences between public transport in major cities like Seattle or San Francisco and smaller rural areas, where a single bus might travel for hours, connecting people across vast distances.
When crossing international borders, Hui did so on foot. He recounted how border agents were skeptical about his purpose when he crossed from Canada into the US. “Not many people cross the northern border on foot,” he remarked. In contrast, the crossing between San Diego and Tijuana was more familiar with foot traffic.
In total, Hui spent about $200 (or £157) on bus tickets. But for him, the experience was invaluable. “The Oregon coastline left me in awe, and the redwoods in northern California were breathtaking,” he said. “This trip was all about the journey, not just the destination.”
Hui, who works at TransLink, Vancouver’s transportation authority, has always been intrigued by the “logistics puzzle” of public transit. He enjoys experiencing new transit systems and understanding how they connect communities.
“One thing that stood out to me on this trip was how vital transit is to the communities it serves,” Hui said. “At no point was I alone on the bus for long stretches.”
He was also pleasantly surprised by the minimal delays throughout his journey. “That was the amazing part,” he said. Even in the notoriously congested Los Angeles traffic, Hui managed to make all his connections without needing backup plans.
For anyone considering a similar adventure, Hui advises thorough research and packing light, as buses often lack luggage space. He also recommends planning bathroom breaks carefully. “Shopping centers, libraries, and community centers are great places to find a restroom during a short stop,” he suggested.
And perhaps the most crucial piece of advice: “Always know when the bus is coming.”
