Where does public transport fall in your commuting hierarchy

[hartleymartin]

1. Bike -to and from uni it takes 25-30 minutes
2. Train -can take a very short while, only a 5 minute or so trip with a bit of a walk at either end. However, there are some periods during the day that there may be a 45 minute gap between trains, coal and freight trains generally get priority on the Newcastle suburban system.
3. Bus -if the thing turns up at all. Takes about 45 minutes,but potentially with a 20 minute wait, can be full of obnoxious Jesmond High kids in the afternoon, but a bit more flexibilty with time.
4. Car -if I brought it up to Newcastle that week, only really use this option with a combination of trackwork on the mainline between Sydney and Newcastle and heavy rain, in other words 3 times in the last 2.5 years.

The problem with PT in NSW is the large gaps between services, the waiting time just is too long. On the bike I can come and go as I please.

In that situation, I'd be biking it too/from uni all the time. The most reliable method out of all the above.

One of the major issues with public transport in NSW, is that it basically focuses on Sydney CBD. Newcastle and Wollongong get some consideration, but otherwise you're on your own.

(didn't someone say that NSW standards for Newcastle Sydney and Wollongong? - because those are the 3 places that nearly all government consideration and funding goes).

[Aushiker]

Hi

For what it is worth:

1. Bicycle by a long shot
2. Car
3. Public transport (train and/or bus combo) or (train/walk combo).

Andrew

[ColinOldnCranky]

In terms of what I can do without and what I can't:

1) Car
2)Public Transport
3) Riding.

Certainly, while I enjoy cycling way in excess of the others, I could not realistically function without the car. And I'd continue working in Perth if I only had public transport. I can't see me staying in my current job if had to rely onthe unicycle every working day of the year. Thiough I do note that the last time the unicycle did NOT feature in my commute to work was late 2008.

It's a bit like rating vegetables against ice-cream.

[m@]

For my old 10Km commute my preferences were:
1. ride
2. walk
3. bus
4. drive

Took about the same amount of time driving or on the bus; at least on the bus you can look at the view or read a book.

[WorkingClassHero]

1. Bike. Commute is only 7km in a straight line but usually try to make a longer ride of it.
2. Tram (at the end of the street)
3. Train (at the other end of the street)

Don't own a car, so that's it.

[robbiejuve]

1. Bike
2. Train
3. Scooter
4. Run (working on improving this one)

[surfin' addiction]

For my old house which was a 10km commute:

1. Bike (I worked night shift so there was not a soul on the road when I left for work or in the morning when I rode home)
2. Car
3. It was too late at night for PT.

I now live 42km from work:
1. Most mornings I ride 7km's to the station, train for 20 mins and ride the remaining approx 3km's to make a 7am start. Then ride the whole 42km's home in the arvo, or if I'm lazy the same route in reverse but get off the train early enough to get a worth while 15ish km ride home.
2. Car.

It's damn hard getting on the bike at 5:30am on those real cold mornings though.

[roller]

i get twitchy if i have to take the train to work and i've missed my morning ride.

+100

i have free parking available at the moment in my building but i still ride in to work.

1. bike
2. car
3. public transport

[The Womble]

Answer: on its face

[Biffidus]

1. Bike
2. Bike + Train
3. Train or Motorbike (it's a draw)
5. Car

[RobertFrith]

Three years ago
1. Car
2. Motorbike
3. Train
4. Pushbike

Two years ago
1. Car
2. Train
3. Motorbike
4. Pushbike

This year
1. Car
2. Pushbike
3. Train

A few factors have conspired in increasing my bike use. Discovery of this forum and Bikejournal are two. The sale of my beloved Moto Guzzi LeMans was another (just wasn't enjoying riding in the city and family cramping my style when it came to weekend rides). Work related car use is still my biggest mode I'm sad to say. I have to carry gear and usually it's more than will fit on my BOB trailer

If the child's mother would permit us to ride to school on the tandem the train would just about fall off the list.

The future; the bike path between here and the office is reasonable, I'm considering adding a bit of rollerblading to the mix

[BandedRail]

1. Cycle
2. Work from home/have a day off
3. Drive
4. Train & bus

This year I've cycled to work every day. Last year I had to drive 3 times (sucked) & took public transport once (sucked * 100). It takes over 90 minutes to get to work via public transport, 35 minutes driving and 25 minutes by bike. The cost is in the same order too. Is it just me or do other people find that public transport leads to a crazy high level of flus/general unwellness?

[Comedian]

1. Bike (30-40 minutes).
2. Bus (40-90 minutes - average 50 minutes).
3. Stay home

[westab]

My commute is:

1. Ride (10km)
2. Ride (15km)
3. Ride (6 km)
4. Get dropped of by Mrs Westab (only 20 days late last year when I broke my arm)

I ride to work as I work close to home and it gives us as a family more flexability with maknig ends meet - and also that it is fun

[Comedian]

Actually I should have mentioned that I'm going to have to start catching the bus occasionally as I'm riding every day and I really need a rest day occasionally.

[casual_cyclist]

The future; the bike path between here and the office is reasonable, I'm considering adding a bit of rollerblading to the mix

Haha! I have done that! It's 8.65km for me and definitely doable.

[elStado]

Bike
Train
Car (lift)
Walk
Bus

Uni:
Only bike 4.2km ~12 minutes

Work:
Bike 8.5km ~25 minutes (plus 15 minutes for shower and change)
or
Bike to station 1km 3 minutes, Wait for train 5-10 minutes,Train to city 7 minutes, Walk 5 minutes= 20-25 minutes

I use the train quite a bit.The trains here in Perth may be limited, but the network (especially on the new lines) are fast, frequent and reliable.

I loath taking the bus, it's one of the main reasons I started cycling. At least when I ride I know where I am going, when I will leave and arrive and I don;t have to sit around for 20 minutes waiting. Buses in Perth are really crap.