Public Versus Private

bazster

Arfa__ wrote: »

I'm currently going for my motorbike test, with a view of riding to work everyday. Probably won't be any cheaper, probably be slightly more polluting, but will be a damned sight quicker.

But it will be horrible in the winter (says the voice of experience!)

northernsoul85

While public transport can be more of a hassle. I would rather spend a long journey reading a good book letting someone else take me wherever, rather than sat in a traffic jam behind the steering wheel.

tberry6686

Where I live we have no trains. Busses are stupidly overpriced and a reasonable road network. It's a no brainer for me.

A journey into work by bus takes over 2 hours and by car 35 mins max. Factor in bus fare of £10 each way plus only 1 bus every 2 hours then not having a car would be madness.

Shah79

As this forum highlights. This argument can only be decided on a case by case basis. Someone's experience living in London with the tube at their disposal will differ greatly from someone living in the middle of nowhere.

The_Black_Sheep

Matter of convenience, pure and simple.

crispy_chris

northernsoul85 wrote: »

While public transport can be more of a hassle. I would rather spend a long journey reading a good book letting someone else take me wherever, rather than sat in a traffic jam behind the steering wheel.

I'd rather relax, put some music on in my car and chill out sat in traffic, if it gets too hot I can put the window for a few inches, or turn on the aircon.

Much rather that than be waiting for a train that doesn't turn up, only to be sat next to a smelly person (or not even get a seat) on a stiflingly hot journey that takes much longer.

But as this shows, each to their own.

rafhelp

Alot of really good responses.

liam8282

For me there is no direct bus route to my work. I would have to get a bus to the city centre at least 1 hour, then two different buses from the city centre to my work, which would take at least another hour.

It is a 15 minute drive in the car.

Arfa__

A few mention their preference to sitting on a train and reading etc whilst it maybe delayed. Fine, if you have that luxury on your commute. But on the tube, a free seats can be a rare thing, I deem it a good day if I can stand in aisle so I've room to open a news paper to read.

Vast majority of tubes are boiling hot for 8 months of the year (even with this crappy summer), just a handful of overground lines have AC. Slowly rolling it out on the Met line, with District line getting AC from 2015 and the deep lines have no chance of AC.

Stuck in ones own car would be far more pleasant. Or jump on a bike and nip between everyone else.

But ultimately, the best choice will depend entirely on your personal route. What public transport service you have, how good/busy/expensive public transport is on your route, what parking you have (at either end), what time you travel, how far you travel, whether you can drive/ride, how able you are to walk etc.

System

The_Black_Sheep wrote: »

Matter of convenience, pure and simple.

Not really. If I was to use public transport then I would end up having to wait up to an hour and a half at an unmanned train station where the only protection is a bus stop type shelter.
It's fine in this weather but in winter?