I want to use public transport, but it's so expensive!

getmore4less

Find someone that works in bristol (but not at your place) that pays for parking

Let them use your car parking for a free trip.


Just looked it up

years pass is more than 12 * the monthly
http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bristol_bath/tickets/bristol/firstyear.php

Actualy the prices just don't match from page to page.

Dave_C_2

I have the reverse problem. Being of a certain age, I don't commute but I have a free bus pass and sometimes cycle into my local town.
But I also own a car for longer journeys and Dave's taxi duties.

The snag is although I am doing reduced mileage in the car there are costs which won't change if I drive 1000 or 10,000 miles a year; depreciation, insurance, AA mebership, VED, servicing and MOT. Although you can argue that less wear and tear on the car will reduce the last two, but not significantly.

I sympathise with the OP, where the standing charge just for keeping a car on the road is so high that you must compare fuel costs with bus fares.

Dave

rtho782

See, I realise I am not factoring in insurance, tax, mot, but I will have to pay these no matter if I get the bus to work or not.

I won't get much use out the ticket for other things, as my friends/girlfriend live in the opposite direction from home, so the ticket won't cover me.

As someone pointed out, a Yearly ticket is actually £142 a year MORE than 12 monthly tickets, for who-knows-what reason.

I would still need to use the car/bike or pay extra if I stay over at the girlfriends as this is not within the "Zones".

All in all, it seems like I would have to be insane to decide to use public transport over my own transportation, despite being in a "best case" situation with regards to convenience, only having to take one bus with the stops right near home/work.

So much for me trying to save the planet!!

adamc260

I'd happily pay more to NOT use the bus... they're grotty, slow, dirty and full of chavs have the time!

thelawnet

My car costs me about £1/mile.

MX5huggy

9 miles each way is perfect bike ( peddle) distance, and you can cancel the gym membership.

Alias_Omega

As above.

£200 will get you a decent 2nd hand road bike. Easy to cycle the 9 miles in 35-40mins at an easy pace on a flatish road.

Just be sure to secure the bike, ideally take it into work with you, or even make a space in your office. I tend to keep mine warm & dry in the office. I like to look at it, prepares me for the fast ride home

Trebor16

Hintza wrote: »

Assuming the OP has the car then it will need serviced anyway. I do suspect though, that the mpg on these short runs could be a lot worse than OP has quoted.

Personally I would take the car unless the advantage (cost) was hugely in favour of the bus.

I would take the bike, especially taking into consideration the time saved. Time is a priceless commodity and being at home putting your feet up instead of being sat a few miles up the road still sat on the bus has many advantages.

cif85

Alias_Omega wrote: »

£200 will get you a decent 2nd hand road bike. Easy to cycle the 9 miles in 35-40mins at an easy pace on a flatish road.

Err, there aren't that many flat roads in Bristol... :P

OP, I can understand your frustration - the fact that the public transport system in Bristol is poor is one thing, it's something else to be asked to pay through the nose for it. Actually, I agree with the above, cycling is probably the best moneysaving solution, since driving in Bristol is almost as dreadful an experience as trying to catch a bus. The struggle up and down those hills will be totally worth it.

thescouselander

Yes, public transport in Bristol is eye wateringly expensive, slow and full of chavs. As already said you might find the fastest and cheapest way to get about is cycling.

The only fly in the ointment is that the chances of finding a flat route in Bristol are pretty much nonexistent - there's lots of hills but you get used to them.