public transportation vs daily drive

[chiver78]

I'm exploring options for getting to/from the office. as the days get longer, and I approach summer where I have a calendar filling up with "reservations" for friends to crash for the weekend at the beach, I feel like it's not as feasible to commit to get to bed early enough to have that alarm start chirping at 330am. I personally don't have an issue with the hours, but the rest of my life is just not conducive to it, for a number of additional reasons not listed here. taking the commuter rail would allow me to work more "normal" hours. so, WWYD? 

I live halfway between two commuter rail stations, each ~25min from my house. travel time from there is an hour to South Station, then another 10-15min on the T (subway) to a station about 2 blocks from my office. trains have wifi, albeit not guaranteed reliable, but I can still work for that passive hour chunk of travel time. costs for each are identical, and I can pick and choose between the two if storms/accidents mess up one line or the other.

currently, I am driving ~1h in the morning. afternoons are anywhere from 1h15-over 2h if traffic is really jacked up. I'm arriving anywhere from 6-630am, with a hard stop to get on the road at 2pm. I'm still trying to rewire my brain from shift work (even salaried) to a 1st shift office job. but I have logged in from home later on, to "make up time" a few times. this place is really flexible for remote work. there are a few people that "wait out" traffic while WFH in the early AM and finish their days here, for example. 
ETA: I should also add that the only other immediate team member based in this office is a later guy. some days, he rolls in around 10. that's not much help for my getting better settled, either. 

costs: 
current daily drive -
parking on-site is $35/paycheck for a spot in a garage. I can leave the car overnight/weekends if I'm travelling or need a spot in town for whatever.
wear and tear on the car is coming in at a rate of 135 mi/day, plus gas for a very efficient little 4cyl manual. sometimes I end up on a toll road for a stretch, at $0.35/trip. <- that is traffic dependent. 

public transportation -
there is a company benefit for public transportation, up to $265/month, reimbursable through our travel app. 
parking at the train stations is $70/month (similar to current)
MBTA pass for the commuter rail is $363/month, and includes T and bus fares as needed for that rate. so basically, any public transportation need is covered by that pass. after reimbursement, $98/mo OOP. 
wear and tear on the car is now ~50mi/day of solid highway travel instead of stop-and-go. 



I guess the question is - $98 more OOP, probably an extra hour of travel time - but passive, I can do other stuff during that time - for the trade-off of more normal hours and less wear and tear on the car. WWYD?

[TheOtherMe]

It's been a while and it was long before wi-fi, but I loved taking the bus from Boulder to Denver.  

I didn't have to drive and I could zone out.  Most people were quiet in the mornings.  People did talk in the evenings or work by pencil and paper.

It was worth the extra time.  Parking was at least $10 per day if I drove plus the wear and tear on both me and the car.  

It was an express route, so from the park n ride where I parked, it was a straight shot downtown.

I also didn't have to drive on the turnpike in the snow.  

[resolution]

If you work for an hour each way on the train, does your employer count that as a part of your work day? Or are you still putting in a full day and just doing additional on the train?

I would probably keep driving as opposed to the subway if the subway was adding an extra hour to every day, but if the time could be flexed due to working during the ride, I would probably go with the subway.

[steph08]

So, currently:

Morning - 1 hour drive
Evening - 1.5-2 hour drive

Total: 2.5-3 hours

Cost:
$14/day for gas (135-mile commute, I estimated 33mpg, so 4 gallons/day at a cost of $3.50) = $70/week = $280/month (ish)
Parking: $70/month
Total: $350/month (didn't count tolls since you said they only occur sometimes)


Public transport:
Morning - 1 hour 50 minutes (25 drive, 1 hr train, 15 subway, 5 walk)
Evening - 1 hour 50 minutes (5 walk, 15 subway, 1 hr train, 25 drive)

Total: 3 hours 40 minutes
Cost: 
MBTA pass: $98/month
Parking: $70/month
Total: $168/month


Savings is almost $200/month plus wear and tear on your car (25-30k miles/year). 

Can you use that hour train time to count towards working? So you would work 2 hours on the train/day plus 6 hours in the office? 

[chiver78]

I've taken the bus up to the airport, it's nice and stress-free. but, you have to allow enough time in case there's an issue. I have never had a problem getting there earlier than necessary, but I'm finding I'm the exception. 

my employer is pretty flexible. our office is 100% virtual, in that we are managing operations that occur elsewhere. everyone is allowed to WFH 1x/wk, and every meeting I've been to has had a Webex b/c someone was elsewhere. combine that with my boss telling me on the first phone screen (I asked about flex time for peak rush hour) that he considered the "core day" to be 9-3, and you could flex around that. I haven't been here at 3pm more than once or twice since getting back from my cruise, and it hasn't bothered him at all. one day he scheduled a 3pm conference call for the team, I left with more than enough time to take that call from my kitchen. nobody had a problem with it. 

I just feel like the public transportation is going to allow me to be here and not feel distracted by worrying about how long it will take me to get home if I get stuck here. KWIM? 

aaaand, in talking to my teammate just now, he was like well yah, that hour of time on the train would count if you were working. of course! ummm, I think I'll be giving this a shot for June. I needed to have signed up by 4/7 to start in May. that's fine. 

[chiver78]

Apr 30, 2019 9:22:20 GMT -5 steph08 said:

So, currently:

Morning - 1 hour drive
Evening - 1.5-2 hour drive

Total: 2.5-3 hours

Cost:
$14/day for gas (135-mile commute, I estimated 33mpg, so 4 gallons/day at a cost of $3.50) = $70/week = $280/month (ish)
Parking: $70/month
Total: $350/month (didn't count tolls since you said they only occur sometimes)


Public transport:
Morning - 1 hour 50 minutes (25 drive, 1 hr train, 15 subway, 5 walk)
Evening - 1 hour 50 minutes (5 walk, 15 subway, 1 hr train, 25 drive)

Total: 3 hours 40 minutes
Cost: 
MBTA pass: $98/month
Parking: $70/month
Total: $168/month


Savings is almost $200/month plus wear and tear on your car (25-30k miles/year). 

Can you use that hour train time to count towards working? So you would work 2 hours on the train/day plus 6 hours in the office? 

I probably would have a harder time working on the way home, depending which train I ended up on. coming in, I'm boarding at the first stop. I can easily park myself at a spot with a table. on the way out, not a guarantee. that's still okay. I could either put in another hour at home, stay longer the next day, or figure it out some other way. really very flexible like that. one day last week, I had a blinding headache from all the caffeine needed that am. I left at noon, logged in from home much later after a nap. 

[cktc]

If your employer is flexible, just try it for a month. Public transit seems like a better option, but there are always variables and you won't really know what it's like until you try it. You might have a difficult time finding a seat, or focusing with people coming and going and trying to have conversations or bringing distracting odors. If you have to take multiple trains/buses, you have to account for extra time to avoid missed connections.

I changed my work hours to better match the bus schedule, then a few years later for a better car commute. Both were still normal working hours so my employer didn't mind, but they did want a consistent schedule.

[TheOtherMe]

Apr 30, 2019 9:26:04 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Apr 30, 2019 9:22:20 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I probably would have a harder time working on the way home, depending which train I ended up on. coming in, I'm boarding at the first stop. I can easily park myself at a spot with a table. on the way out, not a guarantee. that's still okay. I could either put in another hour at home, stay longer the next day, or figure it out some other way. really very flexible like that. one day last week, I had a blinding headache from all the caffeine needed that am. I left at noon, logged in from home much later after a nap. 

Unless the train gets so packed that it's wall to wall people, sounds like you have a table to work on when you go to work.  

[chiver78]

okay, a little more of a headache. I have the updated travel policy, and it looks like the buses are included now. that wasn't clear when I started, and why I took the parking garage spot. I need some clarification as to how the mechanics work, reimbursements and such. but, there are two brands of bus that depart from each bridge on the Canal and go straight in to the same terminal where the commuter rail lands. I'd need a T pass for $84.50/mo, but that's basically a wash with free parking at the buses. also, no travel time to commuter rail station. 

I have until 5/7 to declare changes for June, so I'll pull together a list of questions for the admin that handles this stuff. and I concur - try it for a month, and if I hate it, I can always change it back. I used to commute to college this way, but it's been a hot second. I don't remember majorly hating it. and if it gets me back some time in my day, that's a win in my book. $ savings are icing. 

[Bonny]

I'm biased because I worked for a public transit agency for 8 years.  But prior to working at the public agency I took our local bus and/or BART into San Francisco for four years.

Ironically after joining the public agency I had to commute solo for the first six years because while there was good transit up and down the Peninsula the East-West access to mid Peninsula sucked (and still does!).

As cktc says "Try it for a month" and see if it works for you. It won't work all the time but I bet you'll get to about 85%. And hopefully be a lot less stressed about your commute.

[phil5185]

Something went very wrong. In about 1900, most houses had a small barn in the back, in the morning they hitched their driving horse to the carriage and drove to work - up to 2 or 3 miles. (my great grandfather gave my grandfather a nickle each morning to hitch up his driving mare). At the office there was a 'handler' who unhitched the horse and put it in a stall for the day.

When Model T Fords became the norm life got much easier. No longer had to care for the horse, clean the barn, buy hay, harness/unharness the horse, etc. Simply start the Ford, chug a couple miles to work, park it in front of the building for the day, then drive it home in the evening. No hay, no horse manure, yada. And the little barns behind houses were re-purposed as garages.

But somehow modern society focused on "how to navigate the many miles" rather than "how to eliminate the many miles".  We should have been siting small factories/offices in individual neighborhoods - rather than mega plants. In our state (AZ), where  my grandkids went to school, there are mini K8 schools in nearly every neighborhood - the kids walk, bike, skate board to school. Almost no one is more than 2 miles from their school.  Seems like that could work for Business?

[chiver78]

I appreciate the trip down memory lane, phil. but unless I want to live in the city (which I do not, for a number of reasons) then I have to drive. I live at the beach, where industry is mostly hospitality. I work in a different field, largely concentrated 60mi from home.

the point of this question thread was how to minimize cost and maximize the use of my time. 

[justme]

I can't stand driving long commutes - especially stop-and-go. When an accident shut down the highway the other day I was about to murder someone by the time I got in after driving for an hour on back roads. 

You mentioned working on the train - so would that then be only 6 hours in the office since you'd work for an hour there and an hour home? I'd do that in a heart beat! Though frankly I wish my work would let me work from home way more often then I do. 

I don't take the train because 1) it's longer than my commute unless something like the highway shutting down 2) it's way more expensive than my commute (a $30 tank of gas gets me ~7 days of work if not more but the train costs $4 each way) 3) it's a long ass bus to take me the 3 miles from train to office. If I could use the 45 minutes on the train as work there's a better chance I'd be swayed. 

[chiver78]

I heard back from the admin, she's basically useless for the list of questions I had. pointed me toward WageWorks, who is administering the updated program. guess I have a few calls to make this week so I can figure out which path I'm taking (bus vs train) by the 7th next week. 

yup, I can work from anywhere with a wifi connection. although I should also have a backup plan, as the train isn't guaranteed to be reliable wifi. both bus lines are solid in that regard, but I wouldn't get a table to set up shop for the trip. commuter rail here is $12.50 at the most expensive zone, but even that is for a single day pass. if I was signing on for a monthly pass at $363, it breaks down to ~$9/ride if I work 20 days and don't account for the T on top of it. it's really pretty cost effective, especially with the subsidy perk. when I was first hired, it wasn't clear that buses were covered. now that I've seen what a normal commute time is, it's not much different time-wise to take the train. that was my initial hesitation for doing so in the first place. knowing I can work remotely from the train is huge - and a complete 180 from the last boss I had (not the train wreck) whose hill to die on was "butt in seat" time. 

[giramomma]

I always opt to take public transportation. Parking alone at work is like $200/month. We get discounted bus passes...$30-40 or so for the year, unlimited rides. It's pretty much a no-brainer.

My commute is only like 20-30 minutes, though, one way. Usually I'm doing school work, knitting/crocheting, or doing work on the way to work. Coming home..I'm not as fresh. But, I love the time to transition into another role.

Do you have any options to split the difference?

On the days I can't bus completely to work, I park close to my second job. Then I walk a block or two to the bus stop and commute in the rest of the way. Still saves parking. Gas, gets negligble. If that happens, my commute is like 10 minutes one way, and then I just like to be nosy and see what people do on their phones instead of working, studying or knitting.

[busymom]

I don't suppose you have any coworkers who live nearby, where you could split costs?


My main beef with commuting, besides the extra time, is, what types of people are riding with you?  Men pestering you for your telephone number?  Or, other distractions that might keep you from working?  I agree with trying it for a month.  If you hate it, go back to driving to work.

[chiver78]

not really an option to evenly split the difference, unfortunately. the T stations that make the most sense don't offer monthly passes for parking. that alone makes things cost prohibitive, nevermind that if I were to drive in around the time I'd be taking the train, it would take way longer than the half hour it takes me now to drive to where I can pick up the T. 

as I look at the list of questions I have for WW later, I think I am still most likely going to end up picking the commuter rail for the hour rather than the bus for ~1:15. there's just so much more flexibility with the train between more frequent departures, the pass covers the T as well, the possibility of having a spot to work comfortably for the am hour. and on the way home, I would love to get in some time working on crochet projects if I can't actively work that day. I have a pretty nice Targus backpack that will easily fit both my lightweight laptop, whatever paperwork I might need that day, AND a skein of yarn and whatever section of blanket is in progress!     there's also a backlog of books on loan from my sister.... yeah, I think trying this out for a month isn't the worst idea. and honestly, June is probably a good time for it - the guest room calendar is pretty packed on weekends, starting 6/1. 

[Cookies Galore]

I've been taking public transit for work for about 10 years now. I will throw a fit if I have to start driving again. I read, check emails, or simply close my eyes and get some extra rest.

Work covers my monthly pass; I just pay $6/month in taxes for the benefit.

[wvugurl26]

If you try it for a month and it doesn't work no harm. In Maryland outside of the DC area a lot of public transportation is county specific. I've never lived and worked in the same county.

There's a guy in my office who does take the bus but he lives inside Baltimore city. It's a problem if we close early, etc. Plus he's spending at least 3 hours a day on multiple buses. No thank you. I'm not opposed to public transportation but I'm also not willing to increase my commute substantially while losing flexibility.

[chiver78]

oh wow, county-specific totally wouldn't fly here. and if I was losing flexibility, I wouldn't even consider it. I feel like this is going to actually give me more flexibility than the perk of having a parking spot in town. I might have to pay for parking at a T station once in awhile (if it's more than the CR lot where I'll normally be) but whatever. if I'm taking the T, I'd have been paying for that parking anyway AND the T fare, so this is still a win. 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Apr 30, 2019 16:33:49 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

I've been taking public transit for work for about 10 years now. I will throw a fit if I have to start driving again. I read, check emails, or simply close my eyes and get some extra rest.

Work covers my monthly pass; I just pay $6/month in taxes for the benefit.

are you pretty much guaranteed a seat then? 

Our public transit has gone downhill - you should consider yourself lucky to cram in these days - and people squeezed in and touching each other .

I commute late or go a stop or two away from home and then switch over to try to get a seat. Sometimes, I it doesn't work, and sometimes, I don't have the time.

Sometime, I get lucky and get a seat anyway .

[Cookies Galore]

May 1, 2019 6:28:25 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Apr 30, 2019 16:33:49 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

I've been taking public transit for work for about 10 years now. I will throw a fit if I have to start driving again. I read, check emails, or simply close my eyes and get some extra rest.

Work covers my monthly pass; I just pay $6/month in taxes for the benefit.

are you pretty much guaranteed a seat then? 

Our public transit has gone downhill - you should consider yourself lucky to cram in these days - and people squeezed in and touching each other .

I commute late or go a stop or two away from home and then switch over to try to get a seat. Sometimes, I it doesn't work, and sometimes, I don't have the time.

Sometime, I get lucky and get a seat anyway .

I always get a seat! I live toward the beginning of the line and take the 6:41 train so there are zero issues. I take the 3:58 in the afternoon. Home at 4:30.

I'm lucky that I have the (more expensive) regional rail train line and (much cheaper) light rail line to choose from. I prefer the light rail as it's faster, more reliable, and more convenient (we made sure to buy our house near this line). Even with the transfer to the el it's much quicker than taking the regional rail train. People don't get that around here. It's kind of Septa's hidden treasure line.

[chiver78]

questions answered, Charlie Card ordered for June. let's see how this goes!

[giramomma]

Apr 30, 2019 12:10:33 GMT -5 busymom said:

My main beef with commuting, besides the extra time, is, what types of people are riding with you?  Men pestering you for your telephone number?  Or, other distractions that might keep you from working?  I agree with trying it for a month.  If you hate it, go back to driving to work.

I've perfected my RBF. It's amazing what having a RBF wards off...

[cktc]

May 1, 2019 13:17:01 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Apr 30, 2019 12:10:33 GMT -5 busymom said:

My main beef with commuting, besides the extra time, is, what types of people are riding with you?  Men pestering you for your telephone number?  Or, other distractions that might keep you from working?  I agree with trying it for a month.  If you hate it, go back to driving to work.

I've perfected my RBF. It's amazing what having a RBF wards off...

I always got comments on my RBF. Mostly people telling me to smile but occasionally even calling me a B.

[wvugurl26]

I clearly have RBF going on. People will ask a question and be all apologetic for disturbing me.

[chiver78]

May 1, 2019 13:42:29 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

If I had to get into Boston every day I would take the train just to avoid the aggravation of sitting on 128.  Not keen on the extra hour, but it sounds as though you trade that for an hour working on the MTA that you don't need to spend at work.  That is sweet.  


Just watch out for Charlie, and give him a cookie and a hug if you see him.  

absolutely! and now that song is stuck in my head lol....

[Cookies Galore]

May 1, 2019 13:17:01 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Apr 30, 2019 12:10:33 GMT -5 busymom said:

My main beef with commuting, besides the extra time, is, what types of people are riding with you?  Men pestering you for your telephone number?  Or, other distractions that might keep you from working?  I agree with trying it for a month.  If you hate it, go back to driving to work.

I've perfected my RBF. It's amazing what having a RBF wards off...

RBF (or, as I like to call it, my face) and early morning travel. No one is talking.