-Local Reviews (June 2007)
Rochester City Lines
http://www.rochestermn.gov/publicworks/Transportation/transportation_main.htm
I made the decision over 1 year ago to begin taking the bus to work every day. At the risk of sounding too geeky, I love it! As a child I never rode a bus to school, so I suppose that was part of the appeal! Seriously, my decision was easy. The bus stop is only a short walk from my home. I was interested in saving money on gas due to rising gas prices (which seem “cheap” to me now!). I was also looking to save miles and “wear and tear” on my car, which was getting older.
I asked some people that I work with why they did or did not take the bus. The people that did liked the savings and convenience. Of the people that did not take the bus, some had to be more readily available due to having children in school or day care. Yet, others simply stated that they “wanted to be able to leave work whenever they wanted”.
This started me thinking about my own choices (I was still driving to work at the time). Is it really that inconveinent? Why would it be important to leave work at the exact second that you think you should? So, I started taking the bus into work the next day. Buses come and go every half hour. Sure there is a “period of adjustment”. Yes, I can’t pick up and leave to go home on a whim. However, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. I’m saving money and doing my small part for the environment by chosing an alternative form of transportation.