A year without a car

It's been a year since I ditched the car. It wasn't an easy decision - I live in the countryside where public transport is scarce and the daily commute is a challenge. But so far I'm convinced it was a good decision. And there is a takeaway for corporations here as well.

There were two reasons for me to embark on this "test drive" (sic!). The first one was obviously environmental - i see the effects of climate change in my garden every day. The second one was money driven. My car was 12 years old and I had to make a decision to either replace it, or ditch it.

The math was the following (yours can be different):

1. The downpayment on a new car would be EUR3000
2. The cost of credit for a new, small car would be around EUR8500/r
3. The cost of fuel (doing about 500 km a week) would be EUR2600/r
4. Other costs (insurance, cleaning, servicing, tyres) would be EUR1500/r

So, if I wanted to buy a new car I'd have to spend EUR3000 and then EUR12600 in the first year. That's roughly equivalent 50% to the money I put away for retirement. Seems quite a lot to finance the possibility to take my a** to the office every day. Hence the decision to try a different approach.

In the past 12 months the math looked this way:

1. Annual Public transport travel pass for the Mazovia region and Warsaw: EUR500
2. Occasional taxi trips (I use them in emergency situations) EUR1120
3. Occasional car hire: EUR750

That brings the total cost to EUR2370 and my annual savings to EUR13230.

Money however is not the only factor that needs to be taken into account in such a lifestyle change. A daily commute requires a certain amount of comfort, or otherwise it reduces productivity and overall "life happiness". This is a very personal thing so I can only describe the factors that impacted me.

The cons:

1. Public transport around Warsaw is fantastic, unfortunately I live 4 km from the closest station. It takes me 40 minutes to walk to it. In the mornings it's not an issue, my worktime is flexible and neighbors or family drive to the station anyway, so usually I get a lift. Or take the taxi (5EUR) in the "worst case" scenario
2. My commute time is about 50 minutes (from station to office) plus the potential walking mentioned above
3. Less elasticity. Using public transport even when buses and trains run every 10 minutes requires some planning, especially if I need to be in the office at unusual hours (and I work for television...)

The pros:

1. I like walking and a daily 4 or 8 km walk is doing me good health wise. I am pushing my local council to start taking local public transport seriously - welcome local activism!
2. The 50 minutes I spend on public transport is the time I use to read, listen to music, write friends and generally unwind from work. I get home relaxed, something that was impossible when I had to drive home which took roughly the same time. This is priceless.
3. More elasticity. Public transport services all the places I need to go to (except the last leg to my house :P). Not having to plan, look for parking and not having to pay for parking is a blessing.
4. Saving 13000 EUR a year is an important budget change.

And the promised takeaway for companies is really simple. Most Transport Unions offer employers co-paying schemes for employees. Use them. Instead of financing more and more parking spaces, buying more and more expensive corporate cars - offer to pay for a monthly public transport ticket. Not everyone will want to use that benefit. But you will be surprised how many will and how much money you can save. It might encourage more people to use public transport. And it's an action that will really help the environment and look really nice on your #CSR charts.