And about choices: we bought our house after I had accepted my job and we knew H and I would be working in different cities. We specifically bought where I could walk to a single bus to my job so that public transit wouldn't be as bad.
We are privileged that we could afford to buy in a place that was accessible to transit.
We are lucky that neither of us has lost a job that has required us to find something else that may be harder for commuting.
We are exceptionally lucky that both of us are able bodied and capable of using transit or bikes without physical hardship.
We still choose to do things, like that camping trip, that are bad for the environment (compared to not driving out there).
But most of the environmental decisions we make are still choices.
I wish I didn’t have to drive anywhere but the transit in my city is abysmal. I took it for many years and it literally took me over 2 hrs to go less than 10 miles to work and 2 or more hrs back and plus a 1/4 to 1/2 mile walk on either side depending on the time of day. It was a miserable time. The bus was frequently late or not come at all and the bus only ran every 1-2 hrs depending on the time of day.
I have a paid off car that I really only use to go to the library/grocery store since I work from home now. I get gas every 2-3 months lol. It’s 14 yrs old with only 80,000 miles on it. When I don’t have that anymore I hope these robotaxis or whatever are available then or I might switch to driving my husband to work when I need the car which would be a pain because while he works in our city it is across town and not near anything I would go to.
The transit in our city is REALLY bad. I work at a metro station, so on my office days I could take H to work with me and he could ride the metro from there to his office (his office is also at a metro station.) It's really silly how convenient it would be. But he often needs to leave work and drive all over town to meet with clients. Better mass transit or better options for getting around (i.e. robotaxis....I'm all in on the idea of these now, ha) would help a great deal. If he could even go one day a week without driving in that would help with his stress level I think, even if it took roughly the same amount of time (it would probably be faster, but only by maybe 10 or 15 minutes.) He could also take the metro from Owings Mills on the days I don't go into the office. But again, Baltimore isn't really a practical city for that if you have to go anywhere during the day(and also the metro can be unreliable.) But if we HAD to go to one car, we could find a way to make it work especially with the magical robotaxis of the future.
Yes, the middle of day/later transit is awful. Technically I could take the bus to my library as I live off the same street as my branch so it would be a quick ride to go a few miles but it barely runs past my house during library hours and I don’t want to pick up books in 2 minutes and then wait 2 hours for the next bus.
And don’t get me started on a metro that only has one line!! Oy!
I do think more working from home should be a huge part of solution. My husband’s here today because of flat tires (city roads!!) and there isn’t anything he couldn’t do due to working remotely. Obviously not everyone’s job is like that but so many are now yet they make everyone drive into the city 5x week. I mean if we had robotaxis and both worked from home, we wouldn’t need any cars at all.
You are lucky where you live in the city! See my post about my abysmal years using public transit lol
We definitely are! It's a real barrier when thinking of moving elsewhere OR looking for another job. I honestly did get lucky that I ended up getting a job on the metro line. In our current situation, I genuinely don't think we could afford a 2nd car so one of us would be stuck on a long bus ride if things had worked out differently. Which, we could have made work. But the current situation is much easier. It's like, one thing I actually really appreciate about my less than ideal job situation
ETA: I guess that's the one downside of going down to a 1 car family a few years ago. At that point it was a choice, we had 2 paid off cars and a driveway to park them in. Now it would be very hard to add a 2nd car. Not only would we have start up costs of buying one, but we don't have free parking at home or at work so our costs would escalate quickly. I do hope we can make choices in the future that allow us to stick with 1 car, but it does limit options.
Yeah, paying for parking at work and home is awful. My husband’s company heavily subsidizes his work parking which helps.
When we were dating, he’d park in his paid spot at his apartment and I’d park late at night on the street so it was free and then leave at 6AM to go to work before the meters went into effect again lol
The transit in our city is REALLY bad. I work at a metro station, so on my office days I could take H to work with me and he could ride the metro from there to his office (his office is also at a metro station.) It's really silly how convenient it would be. But he often needs to leave work and drive all over town to meet with clients. Better mass transit or better options for getting around (i.e. robotaxis....I'm all in on the idea of these now, ha) would help a great deal. If he could even go one day a week without driving in that would help with his stress level I think, even if it took roughly the same amount of time (it would probably be faster, but only by maybe 10 or 15 minutes.) He could also take the metro from Owings Mills on the days I don't go into the office. But again, Baltimore isn't really a practical city for that if you have to go anywhere during the day(and also the metro can be unreliable.) But if we HAD to go to one car, we could find a way to make it work especially with the magical robotaxis of the future.
I am SO FRUSTRATED about transit in my city. It's not bad if all you need to do is go in a straight line. And actually, babyharpy's daycare basically is in a straight line from our house. It's just that it literally takes twice as long to take the bus there. If we had trains, I imagine it would be much more comparable in time to driving. I would LOVE to just take her on a train - honestly, getting her in the car seat is such a PITA that I'd rather plop her in a stroller on a train than drive. But to do it all via bus would just take for-fucking-ever.
Yes, I dream of the days of the streetcar! The old line went right up the street near my house to downtown and connected the whole city. My mom actually lived on my block as a child (NW corner in the city) and her grandmother would take the street car up all the time from literally the most far opposite SE corner possible to visit and it was quite quick!
Honest question, though. Are we suggesting that everyone basically go through that pain simultaneously, despite the fact that our planning hasn’t accounted for it. There isn’t enough housing in cities to rapidly switch our entire paradigm to that, nor could people whose home is currently a huge asset lose it because now suddenly everyone’s home is virtually worthless.
Actually, the article posted suggests that self-driving electric vehicles could offer rides on an Uber-like platform for a tenth of current Uber price, at which point for many families it will be cheaper to ride a self-driving Uber either all the time, or as your connection to public transportation if you need to go a long distance, than to own your own car. It doesn't suggest that people should or will do this out of a sense of civic duty or government requirement, simply that most people will make the switch to save money.
For us, this is already true of our second car at current Uber prices. We can go almost anywhere we might want to go for $25 or less in an Uber now. DH is shopping for cars because our older car is 19 years old. A $30K car would have an opportunity cost of at least $350 just in insurance and missed investment income, before you factor in fuel and maintenance. That's about 14 trips per month, which for us is plenty. If the price drops to 1/10 what it is now, that would be 4-5 trips per day for anyone in a close-in suburban neighborhood like mine, so it would become the economically preferable choice for a lot of people. (Or it could be fewer trips and some days each year with a rental car for road trips... I'm really looking forward to the day when I can order a rental car online and have it just drive itself to my door.)
If this were to happen, the strip malls could sell off most of their parking lots, which could then be developed into more housing close into the city and to services. Hopefully this would be zoned in an inclusive way with at least some of the units set aside as affordable housing, but with or without that, I think this would be wonderfully revitalizing in my community and probably in many suburbs to develop most of the parking lots instead of having all that dead space.
I actually was more commenting on the $50K licensing and the change to high density housing as being great models to look to change to quickly as a quick change in those seems likely to hit the poorest people hardest, and could devalue our current housing stock and create a financial crisis.
H and I were a one car household for over 10 years and it worked very well for us. We don’t love needing two cars now and would kill for reliable public transit so we could go back down to one. We can walk to a lot from our house, and if the sidewalks in town were safe year round we would probably never drive to school (alas our town doesn’t have a shoveling ordinance so many sidewalks are simply impassable for long stretches of time).
We definitely are! It's a real barrier when thinking of moving elsewhere OR looking for another job. I honestly did get lucky that I ended up getting a job on the metro line. In our current situation, I genuinely don't think we could afford a 2nd car so one of us would be stuck on a long bus ride if things had worked out differently. Which, we could have made work. But the current situation is much easier. It's like, one thing I actually really appreciate about my less than ideal job situation
ETA: I guess that's the one downside of going down to a 1 car family a few years ago. At that point it was a choice, we had 2 paid off cars and a driveway to park them in. Now it would be very hard to add a 2nd car. Not only would we have start up costs of buying one, but we don't have free parking at home or at work so our costs would escalate quickly. I do hope we can make choices in the future that allow us to stick with 1 car, but it does limit options.
Yeah, paying for parking at work and home is awful. My husband’s company heavily subsidizes his work parking which helps.
When we were dating, he’d park in his paid spot at his apartment and I’d park late at night on the street so it was free and then leave at 6AM to go to work before the meters went into effect again lol
We currently pay $125 a month to park at home, which is a decent deal (aside from the fact that our garage SUCKS and I hate driving because I hate getting the car in/out). But if we had a 2nd car, we could not park it at our building - the garage is too small for apartments to have 2 spots. There are plenty of garages nearby, but I think I've seen advertised rates of over $200+ per month. Then I think it's over $100 a month to park at work for me (though I didn't really look into it so I could be mistaken). If I'm paying $300-400 a month just to park a 2nd car - that's a huge deterrent to getting one.
Then again, someday we might want to move to a neighborhood where we either have a driveway or can park on the street. Then we might have to get a 2nd car sine we'd lose access to the train, but at least we wouldn't be paying for 2 parking spots on top of actual car expenses.
So, I'm a fan of this idea of getting robo cars I think commuting is the real sticking point for cutting back on the 1 car for every driver thing. Outside of families with small kids, I think with a little creativity most people would be fine with only 1 car if it wasn't so hard to get to work without a car.
Hell, Volvo has committed to offering electric versions of it's entire line by next year.
Even better, I just read an article that shows science has discovered a way to store electric car charges in the carbon fiber body, eliminating the need for the large wasteful battery. Downside: carbon fiber is expensive. But still. This is some really neat science.
Hell, Volvo has committed to offering electric versions of it's entire line by next year.
Even better, I just read an article that shows science has discovered a way to store electric car charges in the carbon fiber body, eliminating the need for the large wasteful battery. Downside: carbon fiber is expensive. But still. This is some really neat science.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Oct 22, 2018 15:07:25 GMT -5
I dream of the days when owning cars isn't necessary. And I can see it in Europe, but I think adoption is going to take a lot longer here just due to the freaking size of the country and our stubborn inability to let go of anything.
Also, to contribute to the public transit SUCKS conversation ... I live in a bedroom community for the capitol city of the 4th (5th?) largest economy in the world. My husband drives an hour to work each day (not by choice, we originally bought our home 20 minutes from his work and central to mine, but he got laid off and took an available job that was farther away). If he wanted to take public transit to work each day, he'd have to leave the house at 6am (to start work at 9am), and his commute would involve 2 miles of walking on roads with no sidewalk or shoulder, 3 buses, and another mile of walking through an absolutely terrible neighborhood. Yeah. No. I'll gladly embrace public transit and rid myself of the internal combustion engine when it is logical to do so, though.
Hell, Volvo has committed to offering electric versions of it's entire line by next year.
Even better, I just read an article that shows science has discovered a way to store electric car charges in the carbon fiber body, eliminating the need for the large wasteful battery. Downside: carbon fiber is expensive. But still. This is some really neat science.
Hell, Volvo has committed to offering electric versions of it's entire line by next year.
I saw that suburu was coming out with a crosstrek hybrid but only selling in states that have higher emission standards. MD is one but I can not find the car anywhere. Supposed to come out in 2019 so I wonder if they are delayed. But frustrating that the technology exists and it is easier to keep selling combustion engines.
Hell, Volvo has committed to offering electric versions of it's entire line by next year.
I saw that suburu was coming out with a crosstrek hybrid but only selling in states that have higher emission standards.
I have one. It truly only works as an emission reducer, as the EV mode only kicks on when stopped or going reeeeaaaaally slow. Which is fine, especially for where I live, but it's not a true hybrid with better gas mileage. Now if only they can get their computer issues resolved so my transmission doesn't freak the fuck out every 6 months or so...
Yeah, paying for parking at work and home is awful. My husband’s company heavily subsidizes his work parking which helps.
When we were dating, he’d park in his paid spot at his apartment and I’d park late at night on the street so it was free and then leave at 6AM to go to work before the meters went into effect again lol
We currently pay $125 a month to park at home, which is a decent deal (aside from the fact that our garage SUCKS and I hate driving because I hate getting the car in/out). But if we had a 2nd car, we could not park it at our building - the garage is too small for apartments to have 2 spots. There are plenty of garages nearby, but I think I've seen advertised rates of over $200+ per month. Then I think it's over $100 a month to park at work for me (though I didn't really look into it so I could be mistaken). If I'm paying $300-400 a month just to park a 2nd car - that's a huge deterrent to getting one.
Then again, someday we might want to move to a neighborhood where we either have a driveway or can park on the street. Then we might have to get a 2nd car sine we'd lose access to the train, but at least we wouldn't be paying for 2 parking spots on top of actual car expenses.
So, I'm a fan of this idea of getting robo cars I think commuting is the real sticking point for cutting back on the 1 car for every driver thing. Outside of families with small kids, I think with a little creativity most people would be fine with only 1 car if it wasn't so hard to get to work without a car.
We have a driveway and some street parking and it’s great. My husband’s apartment parking was awful, we scraped the whole side of his car on a bollard because someone was blocking us in once.
My husband’s work parking is over $200!! And that’s the cheaper option that isn’t attached to his building. I think his employer pays a little over 80% so it’s not horrible. The amounts you’d pay would be more than a car payment!
Robotaxis sound amazing! There is really no reason for me to have a car but it’s paid off and was helpful today when my husband’s car was in the shop and I could drive him to and from the garage. Plus I hate grocery shopping on the weekends when I could do it on a weekday with no people. But if I could call a robotaxi I would be all set.
Hell, Volvo has committed to offering electric versions of it's entire line by next year.
To piggyback off this - Most car manufactures are developing their own EVs, especially to compete with Tesla, and they will increasingly have higher ranges. The ICE needs to go and the US doesn’t need it.
Instead of anyone complaining that they can’t do the range or whatever, insist on more public chargers. It’s not difficult to place.
I am in Europe and there are chargers everywhere. Several around my house, at school, anywhere. Because they need it since many, many people drive EVs. If there is a need for it, they will have to implement it.
I saw that suburu was coming out with a crosstrek hybrid but only selling in states that have higher emission standards.
I have one. It truly only works as an emission reducer, as the EV mode only kicks on when stopped or going reeeeaaaaally slow. Which is fine, especially for where I live, but it's not a true hybrid with better gas mileage. Now if only they can get their computer issues resolved so my transmission doesn't freak the fuck out every 6 months or so...
Is it the 2019? The PHEV? This is supposed to be something new and is a plug in? I cant even find it on the website but maybe I am blind? I read it wasnt for sale in Colorado
I have one. It truly only works as an emission reducer, as the EV mode only kicks on when stopped or going reeeeaaaaally slow. Which is fine, especially for where I live, but it's not a true hybrid with better gas mileage. Now if only they can get their computer issues resolved so my transmission doesn't freak the fuck out every 6 months or so...
Is it the 2019? The PHEV? This is supposed to be something new and is a plug in? I cant even find it on the website but maybe I am blind? I read it wasnt for sale in Colorado
Is it the 2019? The PHEV? This is supposed to be something new and is a plug in? I cant even find it on the website but maybe I am blind? I read it wasnt for sale in Colorado
No, it’s from 2014. They pulled the model cause it wasn’t selling.
Ah well it sounds like it has improved? It uses Prius prime technology. What are the transmission issues? We are looking at suburus should we avoid? Sorry i know this is off topic
I saw that suburu was coming out with a crosstrek hybrid but only selling in states that have higher emission standards.
I have one. It truly only works as an emission reducer, as the EV mode only kicks on when stopped or going reeeeaaaaally slow. Which is fine, especially for where I live, but it's not a true hybrid with better gas mileage. Now if only they can get their computer issues resolved so my transmission doesn't freak the fuck out every 6 months or so...
Subarus seem to be like that - they either have no issues or you get a random dud with constant problems. Do you have an auto or manual? Are computers even involved with manual transmissions - lol? I haven’t had any transmission issue and I think I got my legacy around the same time. Maybe you got a dud .
Eta- I see it’s a 2014. Maybe you can trade it in?
There are several families at our daycare with Tesla’s - both the sedan and the suv/crossover.
Same here. Lots of Model X's at school pick up. I don't have the tiniest desire to fork over $140k at minimum for a car though
It’s not that much for minimum. Model 3 right now with all wheel drive is 55k then $10k in tax incentives Or MidRange Rear Wheel drive for like $45k(?) then $10k In tax incentives.
Same here. Lots of Model X's at school pick up. I don't have the tiniest desire to fork over $140k at minimum for a car though
It’s not that much for minimum. Model 3 right now with all wheel drive is 55k then $10k in tax incentives Or MidRange Rear Wheel drive for like $45k(?) then $10k In tax incentives.
A model 3 only seats 5 people. That won’t work for us since we have 5+ people in our car many times a week.
It’s not that much for minimum. Model 3 right now with all wheel drive is 55k then $10k in tax incentives Or MidRange Rear Wheel drive for like $45k(?) then $10k In tax incentives.
A model 3 only seats 5 people. That won’t work for us since we have 5+ people in our car many times a week.
Maybe a pre owned S? Mine has the 5pt harness rear facing seats so I can seat 7. 5 adults 2 kids up to about 75/80 lbs.
Post by Saint Monica on Oct 30, 2018 19:22:56 GMT -5
In theory I love the idea of rideshare/no cars/whatever. I don't always travel light and if I had free uber/other public transport how would I keep "stuff" with me (without physically having to haul it along with me)?
In theory I love the idea of rideshare/no cars/whatever. I don't always travel light and if I had free uber/other public transport how would I keep "stuff" with me (without physically having to haul it along with me)?
The way other people who use trains or buses or bikes or feet to get to and from work do. Lawyers can drag rolling briefcases off a train. Unless you're traveling to major music gigs to set up, most people can adjust.
In theory I love the idea of rideshare/no cars/whatever. I don't always travel light and if I had free uber/other public transport how would I keep "stuff" with me (without physically having to haul it along with me)?
Tote bags? Wheelie bag? Carry less? When I wrote the bus for hours a day I just brought a bag with what I needed from shoes to books to portfolios. It was cumbersome but whatever.
In theory I love the idea of rideshare/no cars/whatever. I don't always travel light and if I had free uber/other public transport how would I keep "stuff" with me (without physically having to haul it along with me)?
The way other people who use trains or buses or bikes or feet to get to and from work do. Lawyers can drag rolling briefcases off a train. Unless you're traveling to major music gigs to set up, most people can adjust.
Today I had a two box cart. It sucked and the distance was minimal. I was sucking wind. I parked 1 block away.
The way other people who use trains or buses or bikes or feet to get to and from work do. Lawyers can drag rolling briefcases off a train. Unless you're traveling to major music gigs to set up, most people can adjust.
Today I had a two box cart. It sucked and the distance was minimal. I was sucking wind. I parked 1 block away.
I don’t know. I see people hauling all sorts of stuff on the train every time I’m in NYC and they manage. My MIL hauls her art to galleries via ferry and train. It’s tricky but doable.
Post by Saint Monica on Oct 30, 2018 19:51:35 GMT -5
Maybe I'm a tool. I get freaked out about (a)having to prioritize what I take with me (b) I dont like feeling "trapped" running on someone else's schedule (*I realize this is bad logic for so many reasons) (c) I drive better than a car that is programmed (*again faulty logic).