Subway Stories - Sorry Charlie!

The T has driven me to drive. I think this is my last monthly T pass. Starting January 1st, the cost of a monthly subway pass goes from $44.00 up to $59.00. Granted the pass now includes local bus service, but that really doesn't impact me much. I'll just be paying more money for the same service.

I don't think it's worth it to me anymore. Yesterday, I realized that this month I drove to work more than half the time. I've totally wasted my December T pass. Over the past two weeks, I only took the T two or three times. I took it yesterday and remembered why I've been driving so much. I waited outside in the cold for about 15 minutes before the train arrived. When I got on the train, there was spilled coffee all over the floor, so it was sticky and there were newspapers strewn about. It was pretty gross. I kept thinking,"why didn't I drive?" I drove today.

I tend to work a later day, so I miss most of the traffic and can get into work in about 15 minutes if I drive, compared to about 45 taking the T. It's the same going home, so I save a lot of time. Granted when I drive, I'm running back and forth to the parking meter every two hours filling it with quarters and risking getting ticketed or paying $18.00 to park in a garage. But I'm in the comfort of my car. It's warm. There's nice music playing or NPR. And at the end of the day, I get home really quickly.

It will be more cost effective to buy a Charlie Card and refill it when I need to. The way it's going, I seem to be taking the T less and less.

Comments

karrie said…
I just wonder how all the people who work at low paying gigs are going to afford that much for a pass. Not applicable to me now,but back in my early 20s when I worked at Borders for $6 an hour, $59 a month would have killed me.

I drive more now that I'm a parent--fumbling around to refill the charlie card with your hands full of kid sucks--and now that I live just off the T. (Union Sq. vs Central Sq.) I sometimes feel guilty for not taking a bus and transferring or just walking to Lechmere, but as you said it's comfort, quiet and NPR in my car. No dirty looks, lecherous grins or mysterious fluids to avoid sitting on.
Peter N said…
Hello Anali. I have two different routes that I utilize to land me at work. It all depends on the staus of the interstate...I live about 15 miles outside of Hartford. Have a wonderful and healthy New Year holiday...this is Peter, who has only left one previous comment here, but you also visited my blog.......I wish you and yours the best..OF EVERYTHING. Here's the link to my place, just in case. Enjoy your long weekend..
http://peteronall.blogspot.com/
Sai said…
Hey Anali:

You know as a urban planner....I feel that people should use public transit more. I hate automobile dependancy but have no choice since I live and work in the burbs. That being said if the public transit is sucky and unnecessarily expensive it makes a lot of sense driving.
Peter N said…
And Anali...thank you for the calender link, although I put one at my place that doesn't highlight the wrong day...most of them say today is Sunday....unless...unless....ah...I don't know what day it is! Saturday??? Take care...so great to meet you...you're the best...Peter
Lisa Johnson said…
karrie - It is really expensive now. Unfortunately, if you don't have a car, then you're kind of stuck. If you need to get to your job, then it's a priority. This is where people start cutting from their food and heating budgets.

peter n - Of course I remember you! : ) I'm glad you were able to get the calendar. Take care!

sai - That must be really interesting work. And I totally agree with you. I intentionally live where I do, so I can walk to the train station and not have to drive at all. I'll definitely still take the T sometimes, but not as much as I would have expected.
Anonymous said…
My commuter rail zone 6 pass just went from 181 to 225......
and they keep telling people to "Ride the T" with a straight face.
Lisa Johnson said…
chris - Welcome! That's a pretty outrageous increase. I guess the T figures they can get away with it, so they will.
TinCanFury said…
It's a good thing the minimum wage is going up...
Lisa Johnson said…
steve - Welcome! Hopefully it will go up, if Nancy Pelosi gets her wish! : )
suttonhoo said…
you need one of these.

happy new year!
Lisa Johnson said…
suttonhoo - You're right! Although I have seen meters where the time has not expired yet and people have been ticketed, so it almost wouldn't matter sometimes.

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