The roads were clear and no snow was predicted, so I drove to work yesterday; the first time in nearly a week.
What a mistake that was.
While I was sitting there on the I-25 at a complete stop, and not one, but two trains sped past, I realized how much I'd grown to once again enjoy taking public transit to work. (Sixteen years in San Francisco being forced to deal with the MUNI on a daily basis made moving back to Phoenix and having to drive an absolute joy.) Yeah, yeah—I have to get up a half hour earlier and end up getting home a half hour later than if I would if I drove, but it's worth it—even on the days it doesn't snow. There's no stress, no dealing with bullshit like traffic stopping on the freeway for no reason whatsoever, and there's the added perk of occasionally snapping off photos of attractive strangers.
And also by taking the train and walking from the station to work, I get to see things like this—something I probably would've missed had I driven today:
So yeah…unless I absolutely have to take the car to work (like on those rare days I need to journey south to the Colorado Springs office), I'll be on the bus/train from now on.
Besides being better for the environment, it's also healthier for you. When my friends moved to Florida, they gained 30lbs pounds over a year because they had to take a car everywhere. We forget just how much a little walking, such as going up and down the stairs at the subway station, to and from the subway station for work can benefit the body. It has a cumulative effect on the body.
Good for you Alex – save the car for the weekends!
Good for you!! The more of us that use public transportation, the better it will get. I thought when I got rid of my car it would be hard, but I'm finding I don't mind at all. No traffic hassles, no outrageous parking fees, and good for the planet. Yes, there is life after the car…