In today's economy how should one go about getting to work?
What is best for the environment? Are the alternatives worth the extra effort and time?
Truthfully, why do we do what we do just to get to work day to day?
As of recent, I have changed my commuting habits. Being a drive every day into the city kind of girl, do I expect this to become a permanent change? My average commute driving ranged from 30 minutes to an hour and a half each way. While parking was free, it was a big pain in the you-know-where. Recently gas had thankfully decreased in price. Though gas prices are nowhere near the $0.99/gallon that I fondly recall from my college days. (Those were the days!) Driving to work gave me the freedom to come and go as I pleased, the ability to put the top down on pleasant days, and the privilege of privacy. Along with the perks came 30 dollars a week in gas, a heavy carbon footprint, and the aggravation associated with DC traffic. I was putting 35 miles per day, 175miles per week, 700 miles a month, and 8,500 miles per year on my ride.
So with a small shift in schedule, I have become a user of the Metro, DC's premier public transit option. My commute takes roughly an hour each way barring any delays. My commute now includes riding two buses and a train ride in between. I am already seeing an improved state of mind as a result of being thrown in the pool of humanity daily. I am no long protected by my security bubble, otherwise known as my car. I see humanity at all stages and am forced to confront it directly. Now, all is not roses and happy thoughts, as I am leading you to believe. The bus smells. I find standing on a moving train for 3o minutes obnoxious. If I miss a bus or train by nanoseconds, I have to wait for the next one to arrive. Weirdos. (That IS all I will say about that.) It now costs me 40 dollars to commute verses the perceived 30 dollars (i.e. not including wear and tear, insurance, maintenance, and risk of damage for the car.) In addition to all of this, I combat motion sickness on a regular basis.
Now that I have tried to explain, both sides of my very complicated commuting love/hate triangle, I guess I am prepared for the third and final point to this discussion. Overall, I do prefer the Metro over commuting in my car. Not only is it good for the environment (yeah, as a tree hugger, I DO kind of care about that...), it is good for the overall state of mind. I have been able to catch up on reading, keep up with current events, and get a little exercise. Commuting via the train has also made me come to appreciate what errands can be done without a car and which ones the car is totally necessary.
I only share these thoughts with you for two reasons. One is to maybe encourage others to give public transit a try. Secondly, I wanted to debate the pros and cons to ensure my initial reaction to public transit was well based in reality. I am sure as the weeks go by I will find more I love and hate about my commute. Maybe I will even share again. Until then.
