New Year’s resolutions are dangerous affairs, so dangerous that most people quickly abandon them for the familiar arms of bad habits. It is with this in mind that I am sharing my resolution: I no longer plan to drive to work.  Dear boss, don’t worry, I am planning on coming to work just that I don’t plan to drive there.

The Motivations on the Bus Go Round and Round …

There are of course a number of reasons to not drive:

1. Concern about climate change and reducing your carbon foot print;
2. Unable to drive for reasons beyond one’s control (blindness, illness)
3. Unable to drive for reasons in your control due to poor choices (drunk driving, loss of a license)
4. Trying to save money. 
5. Other reasons.

I am comfortable enough with my parsimonious-ality to let you know my motivation is a combination of numbers #4 and #5. As for the other reasons (#1), I doubt my little Ford Ranger will make that much of a difference to climate change as compared to the 259 NEW GW of coal-fired generation plants China is bring online.  Fortunately I am both capable and legally allowed to drive (#2 and #3).  Besides, like the vast majority of people, I am an above average driver!

Transit Snobbery 

Having just come back from Vienna with a world class transit system, I will be using a system that is definitely middle of the road.  Not chickens in cages seated next to me but definitely not at the Western European standard either.  My son swore off the bus when going to University with horror stories of them blowing past waiting passengers at bus stops, arriving late, excessively early and surly drivers.  Hopefully my adventures are more pleasant.  

U2 U-Bahn (metro) crossing the Danube heading into Vienna City Center

The Economics of the Bus

 But back to my motivations and the first is economics and while the cash flow is positive it is not great, here is how driving versus the bus stacks up:

• * I get about 7km/litre and have a ~45km commute per day.  Assuming $1.00 per litre (currently gas is as $0.90) this works out to $115 – $120/day.
• ** Technically I don’t pay for parking but I am charged a taxable benefit of $145/bi-weekly.  Assuming a 40% marginal tax rate this results in a cash cost of $126.15/month.
• # These are highly variable, I have gotten to work on a quiet Sunday in 20 minutes and other times it has taken me 2 hours to get home due to the weather.  Overall though, I suspect that the impact on time will be a bit of a wash of driving over transit.
• $$$ I haven’t calculated this yet, see failing fast below before I change my insurance.

Assuming 20 work days per month ($$), the difference in cost is about $6.50/day or about $130.00 per month or perhaps a grand a year.  Mehhh, not really big enough money to be spending 100% more time in my commute, so why would anyone want to give up a comfy(ish) Ford Ranger for a bus?

Reading, Riding and A-Rhythmic-Meditation

My motivation is the 3.2km walk from my house to the bus depot.  3,200 metres in the morning is about 3,000 steps (of a suggested 10,000 per day total) and 40 minutes in walking meditation.  Once on the bus , I plan to read.  While I can listen to books in my vehicle, taking notes while driving is not recommended.  There is also something peaceful about letting someone else worry about the stop and go of traffic while you either read or stare into middle space.  Finally, the most important reason involves a bike. 

I hope to bike commute more this year.  Not having a parking pass is like burning my boats; there is no going back!  Okay, I can pay for expensive day parking but that metaphor is not nearly as good as smoldering boats.  

Wish Me Luck and Failing Fast

So that is my new year’s resolution and given that I just dropped $116 on a pass to get started.  If I can get through January, then February should be easier, etc..  Wish me luck and if not, see you on the road in February.