Forrest Miller sits on the ledge facing College Avenue enjoying the first real taste of spring while he waits for his ride home from work.

While most others are busy reading, doing homework or chatting on a cell phone, Miller (senior-urban forestry) just faces the street -- people-watching.

"A day like today is a lot easier," Miller said while smoking a cigarette, referring to the enjoyable weather during his 30-minute wait.

Miller, like many, relies on the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) to get around town and to classes as an alternative to driving into State College and paying for parking.

The stop at Allen Street serves as CATA's symbolic hub -- a stop for all routes -- and where most riders wait patiently for buses, trying to use their lag-time wisely, lining the sidewalk like fans at a fashion show.

But during the occasionally long wait, riders are forced to find some way to spend the time, as even 15 minutes can throw a day's schedule off-kilter.

Miller, who usually drives into town, rides the V bus to Vairo Boulevard for convenience, as his part-time job makes parking in town difficult.

"It's a lot easier for me to jump on the bus at 6:50 [in the morning]," he said.

But the wait can be annoying. At times in the past, Miller said he's walked home rather than waited and taken the bus.

So he and others are forced to entertain themselves in one form or another.

Emily Rydell (senior-psychology) said she, like Miller, likes to people-watch, laugh at runners jogging past her and listen to people talk on their cell phones.

"It's fun to do," she said. "Everyone has phones."

Usually though, she'll read or study, thinking of the time that's being lost.

"I make lists in that time," she said. "I never usually follow them, but I make lists."

She said she likes to play the Atari games on her cell phone, too.

But not much more can be done during the wait. It's tough to go shopping or get food, as the wait in line for a sandwich could easily be longer than the wait for the bus.

"It's an awkward block of time," Rydell said.

Despite the waiting, Shelley Babel (junior-rehabilitation services) said she does not mind riding the bus.

"I kind of like it," Babel said.

Usually reading a newspaper or checking her phone, Babel tries to find ways to pass the time like everyone else.

She said she likes getting dropped off exactly where she wants to be, rather than having to hike across campus, which makes the wait worthwhile.

Even on weekends, when her last bus leaves the Allen Street Gates at 2:40 a.m., providing her transportation into town rather than worry about driving, the R line to Waupelani Drive proves the most convenient.

No matter the reason for riding, whether it is necessity or convenience, those waiting for the next V bus, or any other line, all find some way to pass the time, probably watching people walk down the sidewalk.