Giving up the Car

If you look at the facts and figures of the quantity of precious metals and resources needed to go into producing all electric cars, it becomes obvious exploration, digging and drilling, must be increased. If inflation persists, and job shortages linger, we may be headed towards a future where fewer households can afford to purchase and maintain a late model vehicle, much less an older model needing parts replacement. Many of us are conditioned in having a car so we can go where we need to go when we want to go, but I posit that this ‘freedom’ may actually be costing us a lot more than we realize.

If you truly factor in all costs associated with owning or leasing a car; the gas, insurance, parking, tolls, tires, batteries, accident claims, liability of others, and of possible theft: the cost of a monthly transit fast pass in an urban area with trolleys or frequent bus service, becomes a neat way to reduce fixed monthly costs, and stay clean and healthy by walking, riding a bike, or taking low emissions electric bus or hybrid.

Since many of our elected officials seem to like to blame outside causes for our problems, and not look to their part in creating inflation or shortages, it’s basically up to us to take charge of our own destiny and get lean and mean. Using mass transit is one key to keeping ahead of living costs.

As the work from home movement grew during our Covid restrictions and lockdowns, urban areas benefitted from less car traffic, and as a bus driver myself, was I able to make the timetables to my checkpoints for the first time in twenty years! All the frustration of dodging tour bus coach shuttles to Silicon Valley, and being blocked at the last minute from ride share vehicles stopping randomly in front of our zone, was finally gone. It was a retirement ribbon dream come true. I could keep to the schedule, and relax behind the wheel. Such a deal!

I ask you to see my perspective and consider taking mass transit the next time your vehicle is in the shop or you are waiting for parts. You may find the free time spent not looking at the road while you travel gives you more time to read and socialize with your neighbor.

In any event, moving too far away from an urban center with fast mass transit, may end up costing us more than we thought during 2020 and 2021. Fight inflation by giving up the car. It is extremely hard to make this change, but skyrocketing rents and gas heading to ten dollars a gallon may be all the persuasion needed to make the change. And to start saving some.

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