Public transportation is becoming an increasingly popular way for people to get to work, school or recreational activities. But what are some thing you should consider before buying that round-trip ticket or monthly pass?
Pros: It’s Economically sound and can be a convenient option.Taking public transportation is a good solution for those who don’t have a car or who don’t want to put a lot of wear and tear on one if they do. It’s also cheaper than buying a car, paying for insurance, and putting gas in it. Let’s not forget periodic repairs which can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars. In fact, most bus or train companies offer weekly or monthly unlimited passes at a discounted rate. You may qualify for a discount if you’re a student, veteran or senior. In addition, it’s a good way to meet people. You never know who you’ll sit next to, or who might sit next to you.
Well, that also brings me to the cons…
Cons: Yeah, you never know who you’ll sit next to or who will plop right across from you. Sometimes it’ll be someone friendly, other times it will be someone who’s talking really loud on the phone, isn’t healthy or even sometimes just not clean. I’ve sat next to polished business professionals on my morning commute, but I’ve also had the displeasure of ending up next to kids who stare at you, unhealthy adults who grossly cough everywhere, or someone who could have benefitted from an early morning shower. You might even encounter the occasional sketchy stranger. In addition, sometimes the train or bus will run off-schedule for a variety of reasons. If this is your way to get to work, it’s best to have a conversation with your employer regarding bus or train-related delays.
So what do you do?
If your commute is over 45 minutes to an hour, this might be the option that saves you the most money and hassle. Your car will operate better, you’ll spend less money on gas, and you can relax during your commute.
As for those cons, well, there’s ways to avoid those scenarios. If your mode of transportation has security, try to sit in the direct view of a guard. If you're on a bus, sitting near the front puts you in the driver’s eye view and listening range. As for those people you’d rather not sit next to in an effort to get sick or absorb their smell, there’s no shame in getting up and moving. If you’ve got the room, there’s no reason to stay in an uncomfortable situation if you don’t have to.
There’s a solution to every problem, whether it’s avoiding heavy traffic or reducing stress for a long commute. Consider all the options.
