Ricemarine
Lifer
- Sep 10, 2004
- 10,507
- 0
- 0
Platypus
Lifer
- Apr 26, 2001
- 31,046
- 321
- 136
I use it (the Chicago EL) constantly. It takes me to and from work everyday and gets me all around the city quickly (when it isn't late :roll: )
For $75 bucks a month it's unlimited.. I spent > $75 bucks a week in gas driving at my previous job.
It has its drawbacks but overall it's good.
For $75 bucks a month it's unlimited.. I spent > $75 bucks a week in gas driving at my previous job.
It has its drawbacks but overall it's good.
when I worked in NYC (and lived in Jersey City) I did.
when I worked in Newark, NJ, it simply wasn't safe enough, especially since I was usually leaving work at 12 am - 1am.
now, there's no mass transportation for me to take to work, but I just ride my bike since it's only a mile away. I guess I could take the train whenever I go up to visit my parents, but it's a pain having to make sure someone's free to pick me up / drop me off back at the train station, since the nearest one is like 7 miles away from my parents' place (though it's only 2 blocks from my apartment)
when I worked in Newark, NJ, it simply wasn't safe enough, especially since I was usually leaving work at 12 am - 1am.
now, there's no mass transportation for me to take to work, but I just ride my bike since it's only a mile away. I guess I could take the train whenever I go up to visit my parents, but it's a pain having to make sure someone's free to pick me up / drop me off back at the train station, since the nearest one is like 7 miles away from my parents' place (though it's only 2 blocks from my apartment)
This is really a very regional question because in some places, even major cities, public transportation just plain sucks.
New York is good, as is Chicago, San Francisco (for the most part.) Take Chicago, for example. You have buses, a subway and the train. And you can take that train all of the way to the next county North and, I believe, up into Wisconsin. And it's only $10. the only thing that sucks is if you need to be somewhere off another rail, you have to take the train into the central station and then hop on another train to go back out!
But some places only have buses. Even big cities like Denver, Tampa and Atlanta. And sometimes those buses only run during rush hour and not on the weekends, or are very limited on the weekends.
Even when other cities have a train, like Miami with the Tri-Rail, there's only one route. Sure, it goes from WPB to downtown, but what if I need to go East or West of the rail? Got to catch a cab or a bus from the train station. What a pain.
So my answer is, I ride public transit when it's convenient. If I can get where I need to go without having to switch two or three times and taking twice as long as driving, why not do public transit? Your fare offsets the gas costs, you don't have to park or put up with other drivers and you can get things done while being ridden around. Heck.. if you have an air card for your laptop, you could set up office on the train and get a lot done.
New York is good, as is Chicago, San Francisco (for the most part.) Take Chicago, for example. You have buses, a subway and the train. And you can take that train all of the way to the next county North and, I believe, up into Wisconsin. And it's only $10. the only thing that sucks is if you need to be somewhere off another rail, you have to take the train into the central station and then hop on another train to go back out!
But some places only have buses. Even big cities like Denver, Tampa and Atlanta. And sometimes those buses only run during rush hour and not on the weekends, or are very limited on the weekends.
Even when other cities have a train, like Miami with the Tri-Rail, there's only one route. Sure, it goes from WPB to downtown, but what if I need to go East or West of the rail? Got to catch a cab or a bus from the train station. What a pain.
So my answer is, I ride public transit when it's convenient. If I can get where I need to go without having to switch two or three times and taking twice as long as driving, why not do public transit? Your fare offsets the gas costs, you don't have to park or put up with other drivers and you can get things done while being ridden around. Heck.. if you have an air card for your laptop, you could set up office on the train and get a lot done.
GTaudiophile
Lifer
- Oct 24, 2000
- 29,767
- 33
- 81
Last October, I moved from Atlanta, GA where I had a 45-90 minute commute EACH way to work, to Washington, DC. Upon moving, I sold my more or less brand new Mazda 3S and now rely solely on DC public transit or walking/riding my bike.
Why?
Well, I live in the District, so I can easily walk 15 minutes to one of two Metro stations on the Red Line.
I honestly cannot afford a car / insurance, gas, and maintenance considering the cost of living increases experienced from Atlanta to DC.
(Well, I could but I wouldn?t be able to save / invest as much.)
I could not afford a garage, so my brand new car (my baby) would have been exposed to some really crappy elements.
My commute is now roughly 25 minutes each way (15 minute walk + 10 minute Metro train ride).
I now get at least a small dose of exercise during my commute, so it is healthier if you don't consider the air/smog intake.
The commute is far less stressful. I tune in to my music as I walk down the sidewalk.
Sometimes I ride my bike to work, and that can actually be fun (without music).
Not having a car / using public transport is environmentally friendlier.
I have the chance to read in the morning while on the train.
The train gives you the opportunity to socialize to some extent with members of your community.
I don't have the stress of car maintenance, oil, tires, batteries, and sweating as I watch oil prices reach $80.00/barrel.
I now pay only around $180/year for an EXTREMELY good USAA non-owners auto insurance policy.
And last but not least, I now subsidize OPEC/Terrorism to a lesser extent.
On those rare days I need a car to make a trip to IKEA or visit colleagues or friends who live outside of the Metro's reach, I can always get a rental car for around $40/day or a ZipCar/FlexCar for around $8/hour. No big deal.
My Giant grocery store, dry cleaners, barber, Starbucks, restaurants, etc. are all across the street from my apartment.
Edit: Couple of things to add:
Parking in DC is simply a bitch.
Traffic is no good either, especially if you need the beltway & beyond.
Do I miss driving those fun roads with a manual tranny? Yes, often! But I still have a Miata in my dad's garage that I can drive when I go back home.
Why?
Well, I live in the District, so I can easily walk 15 minutes to one of two Metro stations on the Red Line.
I honestly cannot afford a car / insurance, gas, and maintenance considering the cost of living increases experienced from Atlanta to DC.
(Well, I could but I wouldn?t be able to save / invest as much.)
I could not afford a garage, so my brand new car (my baby) would have been exposed to some really crappy elements.
My commute is now roughly 25 minutes each way (15 minute walk + 10 minute Metro train ride).
I now get at least a small dose of exercise during my commute, so it is healthier if you don't consider the air/smog intake.
The commute is far less stressful. I tune in to my music as I walk down the sidewalk.
Sometimes I ride my bike to work, and that can actually be fun (without music).
Not having a car / using public transport is environmentally friendlier.
I have the chance to read in the morning while on the train.
The train gives you the opportunity to socialize to some extent with members of your community.
I don't have the stress of car maintenance, oil, tires, batteries, and sweating as I watch oil prices reach $80.00/barrel.
I now pay only around $180/year for an EXTREMELY good USAA non-owners auto insurance policy.
And last but not least, I now subsidize OPEC/Terrorism to a lesser extent.
On those rare days I need a car to make a trip to IKEA or visit colleagues or friends who live outside of the Metro's reach, I can always get a rental car for around $40/day or a ZipCar/FlexCar for around $8/hour. No big deal.
My Giant grocery store, dry cleaners, barber, Starbucks, restaurants, etc. are all across the street from my apartment.
Edit: Couple of things to add:
Parking in DC is simply a bitch.
Traffic is no good either, especially if you need the beltway & beyond.
Do I miss driving those fun roads with a manual tranny? Yes, often! But I still have a Miata in my dad's garage that I can drive when I go back home.
Free shuttle to college from off campus every day.
Much much cheaper than gas, parking permit, etc.
Also puts my insurance in the "Ultra low miles" category, combined with just turning 25, its a sweet deal.
Much much cheaper than gas, parking permit, etc.
Also puts my insurance in the "Ultra low miles" category, combined with just turning 25, its a sweet deal.
Public transportation sucks for me. There's a bus stop in front of my house that goes directly to the metro, so that's nice. But during peak hours, it only comes by every 20 minutes. Then it's an hour long metro ride... and then a 20 minute walk to the office. It's double my commute time by car, and costs more in fuel and mobility (can't swing by giant after work for example, or run whatever errand).
That and it's a 20-25 minute walk to the grocery store. And who knows how long by bus to get to a target or entertainment.
So yeah, I sometimes wish I lived in the city, but I love to drive too, just not in traffic
That and it's a 20-25 minute walk to the grocery store. And who knows how long by bus to get to a target or entertainment.
So yeah, I sometimes wish I lived in the city, but I love to drive too, just not in traffic
Yreka
Diamond Member
- Jul 6, 2005
- 4,084
- 0
- 76
I use it sometimes. If I have to go into Oakland or SF, I will almost always take the BART train.
I live in the sticks, and work in the suburbs though so we are talking about 2-3 hours and 2+ transfers one way on public trans versus 45min to 1 hr by car even with traffic. I do carpool with 2 other people though so it isn't all that bad.
When I was younger, I lived in Oakland I rode the train almost exclusively. It was convenient and it almost always had a station walking/biking distance to where I needed to go. I still had a car, but I only put about 1k miles per year on it. BART sucked though for partying + hitting the bars and clubs because the train quit running at 12-1 AM ( Bars close at 2am here). The should have run it 24hrs on weekends.. Maybe they do now, I dunno.. too old to need such a service anymore
I live in the sticks, and work in the suburbs though so we are talking about 2-3 hours and 2+ transfers one way on public trans versus 45min to 1 hr by car even with traffic. I do carpool with 2 other people though so it isn't all that bad.
When I was younger, I lived in Oakland I rode the train almost exclusively. It was convenient and it almost always had a station walking/biking distance to where I needed to go. I still had a car, but I only put about 1k miles per year on it. BART sucked though for partying + hitting the bars and clubs because the train quit running at 12-1 AM ( Bars close at 2am here). The should have run it 24hrs on weekends.. Maybe they do now, I dunno.. too old to need such a service anymore
I would love to be able to ride the bus, but the smokers own the bus stops. I can't get on or off without an asthma attack.
Gooberlx2
Lifer
- May 4, 2001
- 15,381
- 6
- 91
I would use it, but it's simply not available where I live now.
When I lived in Denver it was okay if you lived downtown. Otherwise in the surrounding burbs the bus stops were too infrequent, often putting them outside of walking distance. The process just takes way too long. A 15 minute drive becomes a 1 hour bus ride.
But...they're working on it constantly expanding the light rail and such.
When I lived in Denver it was okay if you lived downtown. Otherwise in the surrounding burbs the bus stops were too infrequent, often putting them outside of walking distance. The process just takes way too long. A 15 minute drive becomes a 1 hour bus ride.
But...they're working on it constantly expanding the light rail and such.
BeauJangles
Lifer
- Aug 26, 2001
- 13,941
- 1
- 0
I bike to work every day. Other than that I either rely on the Metro or friends to get me around the city.
It's really expensive ($2.75) here, but it's still cheaper than owning a car.
It's really expensive ($2.75) here, but it's still cheaper than owning a car.
- Jul 5, 2007
- 7,416
- 1
- 0
Some really varied experiences here...keep them coming! I guess I should post my own transit usage.
Since graduating from university in 2005, I've been a regular user. I used to commute to downtown Vancouver from Richmond (~1 hour each way). The bus was much cheaper (esp. considering parking) and it was less stressful than negotiating traffic. I got a used Accord in mid 2006 (Grandma passed away) but I only used it for socializing and odd errands. Still almost exclusively used the bus.
Now I live and work in Burnaby. I use the bus for commuting only. I have an 8-10 min bus ride plus 3 min walk from home to the stop, and 5 min walk to work when I get off. Driving would cost about the same as transit, but I like the convenience of riding the bus. I can walk to a bunch of shops on Hastings for errands.
I still have my car, but it only gets out for a weekly grocery run, to visit my parents and g/f, and the odd day trip. A tank of gas lasts close to a month.
Since graduating from university in 2005, I've been a regular user. I used to commute to downtown Vancouver from Richmond (~1 hour each way). The bus was much cheaper (esp. considering parking) and it was less stressful than negotiating traffic. I got a used Accord in mid 2006 (Grandma passed away) but I only used it for socializing and odd errands. Still almost exclusively used the bus.
Now I live and work in Burnaby. I use the bus for commuting only. I have an 8-10 min bus ride plus 3 min walk from home to the stop, and 5 min walk to work when I get off. Driving would cost about the same as transit, but I like the convenience of riding the bus. I can walk to a bunch of shops on Hastings for errands.
I still have my car, but it only gets out for a weekly grocery run, to visit my parents and g/f, and the odd day trip. A tank of gas lasts close to a month.
BurnItDwn
Lifer
- Oct 10, 1999
- 26,322
- 1,836
- 126
I live in Streamwood and work in Mt Prospect IL.
If I were to take the train, it would be an hour and 15 minutes to chicago, then another hour to mt prospect as they are not on the same line.
Instead, I just drive to work, because it's just under 20 miles, and it takes about 45 minutes, rather than 2+ hours and going more than double the distance.
That said, if I need to go into Chicago, I will pretty much exclusively take Metra to Union Station.
If I were to take the train, it would be an hour and 15 minutes to chicago, then another hour to mt prospect as they are not on the same line.
Instead, I just drive to work, because it's just under 20 miles, and it takes about 45 minutes, rather than 2+ hours and going more than double the distance.
That said, if I need to go into Chicago, I will pretty much exclusively take Metra to Union Station.
Boulder has a great bus system so I either walk (which I do 90% of the time) and riding the bus, with a bus pass CU provides you as a student.
I live in Seattle. I didn't have a car until two weeks ago (I'm 25), but I walked to work and took the bus for anything else. Now that I'm done with school, I got a car for the freedom of taking trips and possibly for commuting, but I'll still walk/bike/bus to work if it's a fairly reasonable distance.
Nobody's come out and said it here, but I get the impression that in most cities, the bus is considered to be "for poor people". I look at the people on the bus and it's mostly student-aged people. Very rarely do I ever see someone step on the bus that's in a suit. It's too bad, the express busses from the university district to downtown are really quick. Between it and some walking around, you can get anywhere in downtown in about a half hour or so and with no ridiculous parking fees.
Nobody's come out and said it here, but I get the impression that in most cities, the bus is considered to be "for poor people". I look at the people on the bus and it's mostly student-aged people. Very rarely do I ever see someone step on the bus that's in a suit. It's too bad, the express busses from the university district to downtown are really quick. Between it and some walking around, you can get anywhere in downtown in about a half hour or so and with no ridiculous parking fees.
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