Over the past several weeks I have taken plunge into a new style of travel that has once been foreign to me, it’s the mystery that is public transportation. Indianapolis is not really known for its ability to offer decent public transportation, especially for the suburbia’s. The rail system is non-existent and its rare to see a taxi outside the 465 loop…but I have stumbled upon a diamond in the rough when it comes to the Indy Express bus that is now my sole mode of daily work travel. Unlike city buses, this route uses charter buses, which offer comfy seats, personal lighting and even a nice little foot rest. It would equate it to flying first class. And I am in luck that both the pick-up and drop-off locations are within blocks of my home and work. It’s ideal and I will throw down my top 5 benefits of riding the bus, that support that statement.
5. Catching up on some sleep? I am that guy, that once he is awake he stays awake. So taking a quick 30 minute nap isn’t necessarily for me. But I am surprised at the number of people that take a seat and go “lights out”, especially on the 6:30 am bus. From my observation, I would guess that about half of the passengers take this time to catch up on some sleep…more power to them. Just hope they don’t miss their stop.
4. Saving some money! I am always the first person to admit that I am cheap, and the bus is certainly one good option to do just that. I like to look at it like a mathematical equation…I know the constants: its $5 each way using the bus. Lets say that my car gets about 15 mi / gallon (city driving) and it takes almost exactly 15 miles to get to work. At today’s gas prices at $3.39 for premium it takes only 3rd grade math to figure out that comes out to be roughly $3 - $4 per trip…just in gas. Factor in parking for downtown Indianapolis (lets call it $80/mo), wear and tear on the car ($30/mo) and all the sudden you have this: $6.50 (gas) + $2.66 (parking)+ $1.00(car depreciation) = $10.16 /day vs. a $10/day bus ride. So we could assume that its roughly equal…until you factor in how much your time is worth…and for my skill set, lets call it $180/hr. so I save like $90/day!!! Ok…maybe that’s over thinking it…but In reality, while it may not save a TON of money it is definitely worth having that time accomplish other tasks.
3. Gossip. This is one I wouldn’t have thought of initially. But I have realized if I am quiet and perk up my ears that there are quite a few women who really enjoy the sound of their own voice on my bus. Im not sure who they are, where they are going or who they work for, but I seem to know WAY too much about their personal lives. Some of the language that comes out of their mouths! I have heard about their problems in their offices, who they like, definitely who they don’t like…and worst of all, I have heard about these middle aged ladies sex lives…gross. Its like watching a slow motion car wreck …gruesome, but I cant look away. While some people watch their soap operas during daytime programming, I get to watch my “stories” LIVE, twice a day and in surround sound…im not gonna lie, its kind of fun.
5. Catching up on some sleep? I am that guy, that once he is awake he stays awake. So taking a quick 30 minute nap isn’t necessarily for me. But I am surprised at the number of people that take a seat and go “lights out”, especially on the 6:30 am bus. From my observation, I would guess that about half of the passengers take this time to catch up on some sleep…more power to them. Just hope they don’t miss their stop.
4. Saving some money! I am always the first person to admit that I am cheap, and the bus is certainly one good option to do just that. I like to look at it like a mathematical equation…I know the constants: its $5 each way using the bus. Lets say that my car gets about 15 mi / gallon (city driving) and it takes almost exactly 15 miles to get to work. At today’s gas prices at $3.39 for premium it takes only 3rd grade math to figure out that comes out to be roughly $3 - $4 per trip…just in gas. Factor in parking for downtown Indianapolis (lets call it $80/mo), wear and tear on the car ($30/mo) and all the sudden you have this: $6.50 (gas) + $2.66 (parking)+ $1.00(car depreciation) = $10.16 /day vs. a $10/day bus ride. So we could assume that its roughly equal…until you factor in how much your time is worth…and for my skill set, lets call it $180/hr. so I save like $90/day!!! Ok…maybe that’s over thinking it…but In reality, while it may not save a TON of money it is definitely worth having that time accomplish other tasks.
3. Gossip. This is one I wouldn’t have thought of initially. But I have realized if I am quiet and perk up my ears that there are quite a few women who really enjoy the sound of their own voice on my bus. Im not sure who they are, where they are going or who they work for, but I seem to know WAY too much about their personal lives. Some of the language that comes out of their mouths! I have heard about their problems in their offices, who they like, definitely who they don’t like…and worst of all, I have heard about these middle aged ladies sex lives…gross. Its like watching a slow motion car wreck …gruesome, but I cant look away. While some people watch their soap operas during daytime programming, I get to watch my “stories” LIVE, twice a day and in surround sound…im not gonna lie, its kind of fun.
2. Reading! Definitely my favorite thing to do on the bus. Its not often that a working person gets even 30 minutes to do sit back without anything to do. So I cherish that 30 minutes each way by diving into books. Ironically, I have found myself wishing for road construction and traffic jams to extend the travel time to and from work. In my 4 weeks of riding the bus, I have finished the first two books in a trilogy of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. What a great story, and a great way to spend my time (if you have not read them, please pick up a copy). I am eagerly awaiting the 3rd installment of this series that I anticipate picking up, and not being able to put down.1. WRITING! Here is the punch line: I am currently sitting in a bus writing this blog entry. And If I would have waited for about 2 weeks, I will have been able to post it while riding as well as the Indy transportation system is adding WIFI to its buses. Its almost therapeutic to be able to pull out a laptop, and to just layout what my thoughts are at the moment. Once the wifi is added, I can probably add “work” to the list of things I can do, which will undoubtedly make riding the bus even more valuable.
At the end of the day, I have found that riding the bus has given me more freedom than it has taken away. I have at least an hour of each day to do only what I want to do with nearly no distractions…and in my life with work, kids, family and technology, I find having short amount of time is nearly priceless.
