Securing your own transportation is a critical component of independence. It affects where you live and work as well your access to groceries, medical care, and life’s other necessities.
Public Transportation
Public transportation, where available, is generally less expensive than other options. It can often save you time by avoiding traffic. But, before you commit to public transportation as your sole method of getting from place to place, make sure that the routes are conveniently located to both your home and work and that the hours and schedules will get you to work on time. It is also important to consider the routes and schedules during non-working hours, since many public transportation systems run fewer buses/trains and during the evenings, late at night, and on the weekends. This is important if you plan to use public transportation for errands or for meeting friends and family.
Ridesharing
If you live in an area of the country with limited or no public transportation, you may find that getting to and from work requires a car. To save money, you may want to consider a ridesharing program. Ridesharing can be as simple as family members, neighbors, or coworkers deciding to ride to and from work together. Local governments, employers, and private companies also offer services that match you to an existing carpool or help you form a new one. While these programs are a great way to reduce the cost of commuting to work, you will still need another means of transportation on evenings and weekends.
Car Sharing
Car sharing is a model of car rental where people rent cars for short periods of time, often by the hour. They are useful for people who need a car only occasionally.