Any of you use ground public transportation?

[shootingstar]

Just curious..if with or without bike, you use ground public transportation?

If yes, how often and for what purpose?

If no, is it because you don't have a good public transport options nearby or you can do everything you need by car /bike?

Folks, like me forget that some people might use ground public tranportation... maybe only every few years.

[Jolt]

Yes, I use the commuter rail and the T to get to school in Boston (depending on the semester it has been 3-5 days a week). It makes a lot more sense than driving because of the price of gas/parking and the fact that I can get reading done on the train as opposed to having all that unproductive time in the car. Plus, it pollutes less. I do have to say that the commuter rail line I use needs to expand service, and it would also be nice if they added capacity for bikes during peak hours (bikes currently not allowed on trains during peak hours because there's just not enough room). Then if I could only get up the guts to try riding in Boston...

[snapdragen]

I use our city's light rail if I'm going downtown. I avoid having to park, not to mention driving after an evening of partying.

I am, however, a bus virgin. I keep checking out the routes to work, one of these days I'll actually do it.

[Fredwina]

I take the commuter train (I guess it's "heavy" rail) to work w/ a bus shuttle to and from the work site,
It's about the same , (faster in the morning, slower in evening(but not much)) as driving, but less stress

[crazycanuck]

We do

I think the trains in Perth are pretty good! You can't take your bike on the train during peak hours but that doesn't bother me.

[mimitabby]

i take buses when i am too tired to ride or it's rainy or i'm lazy or a hurry.

[carpaltunnel]

Our bus routes don't reach most of the city (Omaha). They seem to think everyone works downtown too, so if I were to walk to the nearest stop about a mile away, I would have to change busses twice to travel four miles to the closest point to my job. Then a two mile walk from there towork.

I suppose I could do it but it's very time consuming and inconvenient.

[shootingstar]

Part of my bike commuting route is parallel, to the aboveground light rapid transit train. Yes, it's easy to whimp out when it suddenly pours....

In Toronto, I lived for 14 yrs., 1/2 block away from a subway station in the suburbs. But during non snow/ice-seasons I biked to and from work 3-4 times per week where work was located downtown.

Took city buses most of my life before cycling and also during , though at different times I lived so close that I just walked. Walking was 1-3 kms. However it nearly boggles my mind that during first 2 yrs. of university I actually walked 16 kms. round trip daily with my heavy knapsack of books. And often enough in snowy season, wearing a heavy long wool coat.

[7rider]

Just curious..if with or without bike, you use ground public transportation?
If yes, how often and for what purpose?
If no, is it because you don't have a good public transport options nearby or you can do everything you need by car /bike?
Folks, like me forget that some people might use ground public tranportation... maybe only every few years.

What, exactly, do you mean by public ground transportation? When I think of "ground transportation" I think of the shuttle van that takes you from an airport terminal to the long-term parking lot at the airport. When I think "public transportation" I think of bus, subway, light and heavy rail.
Are you saying for work commuting, or for any transportation needs?
I have used all of the above - as I described them - mainly for work. The metro-D.C. area has some pretty good bus and rail networks. Often the source of public scorn and ire, but I find they are generally okay. If I am not riding my bike to work, I take the subway (that runs both above and below ground). I have taken the bus, but not often. Sometimes, if I'm in a rush, I'll take a cab. The cost gives me a start, but I do it rarely, so I deal.
We talk about getting rid of the second car and just going with Zip car or something, but it's just talk. Right now, the minimal cost of owning it is equal to the convenience of having it.

[shootingstar]

What, exactly, do you mean by public ground transportation? When I think of "ground transportation" I think of the shuttle van that takes you from an airport terminal to the long-term parking lot at the airport. When I think "public transportation" I think of bus, subway, light and heavy rail.
Are you saying for work commuting, or for any transportation needs?

For any personal tranportation needs., doesn't have to be work commuting. Hope the term "ground public transportation" I used meant, anything except for aircraft and watercraft. (Which the latter type, here in Vancouver can be quite real for some commuters. There is the SeaBus, a "ferry" shuttle that's under 10 min. if you can't cycle, drive or walk over the Lions Gate Bridge.)

In transportation government agencies, they use surface transportation. But let's not get into that, with the light rapid train running above our heads...

[Blueberry]

Sadly, ground transportation here is minimal, at best. We have no light rail, and have only local and regional bus services. The areas served are quite limited, and (due to the sprawl), one generally would have to combine bike and bus to make it practical (and to get anywhere in a reasonably amount of time). At my old job, I tried the "route finder." It was a 4 plus hour trip - 45 minutes by car. However, our buses are not really bike friendly. We only have 2 bike racks, and the buses run (even at peak times) not more than on the half hour. So, if you have to wait for 2 buses (which is not uncommon), you're an hour later. Doesn't seem to be much interest in changing it, either.

[NoNo]

I take the train to work, and walk to and from the stations. There is a bus that goes from the station to a stop down the street, but I've never taken it. And then there are mornings like today where I'm running just a few minutes late and have to drive to the station near my house Aside from the train (which only runs along the shore), there isn't much to get you around here. There are some buses, but I've never really looked into them.

[Duck on Wheels]

I often yield to temptation and take the bus. During regular business hours, buses from just up the hill from my place all the way to campus run 10 to the hour. Almost too tempting to resist, but I do try to walk or bike most days. To and from the airport there are trains once an hour, busses every 20 minutes, and a sharecab system that takes you door to door. I choose among those depending on timing and weather. Just now I'm headed all the way from campus to downtown. Not all that far to walk, but would take more time than I want to spend on transport just now. So I'll bus down, then walk home -- after visiting the Medieval Faire and catching a Bobby McFerrin concert in the cathedral, that is.