I have just read yet another article that states that you should give up your car and use public transportation to save money. Wonderful, if ya got it!! I lived in NYC and have to say I loved having that option, and it surely did save a lot of money, which was of course offset by the general cost of living there, but that's another story.
When gas was so high a couple of years ago I decided to check out my public transportation options. My own situation is that I live in a bedroom community about 20 miles outside the capital of my state. I would have to drive (or walk if I really gave up my car??) about 8 miles to catch a vanpool which would cost me $125/month to join. The schedule is a very strict once a day option, hope it works for your schedule! When I get to "big city" I would then need to take 2 different buses, then must walk about 1 mile to the office from the closest bus stop. In the afternoon, same routine. (travel time about 3.5 hours total a day) Due to the time needed for van/bus/foot travel, I would only be in the office about 6.5 hours a day. This is simply not an option. So, for me, public transportation would not be feasible, and I do live just outside a fairly large city.
I spend several thousand dollars a year on my cars, some times more, sometimes less, not counting depreciation. Its a lot of money, but I just don't see how I can get rid of that expense.
Surely all those advice givers telling us to give up our cars and take public transportation must have always lived in the city, and maybe don't understand that public transportation is not an option for most of us?
Would you be able to comfortably live without a car? Is public transportation an option for you? How much money could you save per year if you have that option?
When gas was so high a couple of years ago I decided to check out my public transportation options. My own situation is that I live in a bedroom community about 20 miles outside the capital of my state. I would have to drive (or walk if I really gave up my car??) about 8 miles to catch a vanpool which would cost me $125/month to join. The schedule is a very strict once a day option, hope it works for your schedule! When I get to "big city" I would then need to take 2 different buses, then must walk about 1 mile to the office from the closest bus stop. In the afternoon, same routine. (travel time about 3.5 hours total a day) Due to the time needed for van/bus/foot travel, I would only be in the office about 6.5 hours a day. This is simply not an option. So, for me, public transportation would not be feasible, and I do live just outside a fairly large city.
I spend several thousand dollars a year on my cars, some times more, sometimes less, not counting depreciation. Its a lot of money, but I just don't see how I can get rid of that expense.
Surely all those advice givers telling us to give up our cars and take public transportation must have always lived in the city, and maybe don't understand that public transportation is not an option for most of us?
Would you be able to comfortably live without a car? Is public transportation an option for you? How much money could you save per year if you have that option?