DOES PUBLIC TRANSPORT SUIT ‘GEN NOW’?
Car or bus? Dave McLeod compares time and cost on his commuting route
Relax, this isn’t going to be another Millennial (or whatever generation we’re up to) or public transport-bashing article.
I’m just asking a simple question: does the bus, which can trace its roots back to the early 19th century, fit in with a modern on-the-move lifestyle that seeks immediate gratification, or is the car still king? It’s especially relevant in a Covid-19 world where health implications mean public transport is no longer a nobrainer even for the most community-minded.
For this study, time, cost and convenience are the measure. For this to work, we will have to make some assumptions, including home and work locations, vehicle ownership already established and a smartphone with a ride-share app at the ready.
According to the media, Millennials are moving to the suburbs but still work in the city. Personally, I’m a Gen-X “baby buster” but live in a North Shore
’burb, so we’ll use that as a base and say that I “work” at 1 Queen St in the CBD.
IRD rates petrol or diesel-powered cars at 79c/km and EVs can go as little as 9c/km, so we’ll stick with the fossils and since time is money, let’s work on the minimum wage of $18.90/hr (31.5c/min) as a benchmark.
Let the battle commence.
I’m a big fan of the frequency and convenience that comes with the Northern bus route and often take the NX1, sometimes smiling at the car park that is SH1 in the extended rush hour. However, it does take me 15 minutes to walk to the station, while my vehicle sits warm and inviting outside my house. Also, ridesharing for this type of trip comes with its own set of challenges.
(See the chart below for the financials for the 15km route.)
Even without ludicrous parking rates, time and cost make public transport the clear winner, right? Well, not exactly.
When you add in the joys of winter weather, the perils of the flu (or worse), the waiting and the standing/ seating lottery, to me there’s a lot to be said for the convenience of being behind the wheel of your car. Your music, your A/C temperature, your seat, leaving exactly when you want and even taking the time to call hands-free and catch up with friends or family.
So, with convenience being the winner, who’s up for a car-pool party?