Our friend Kristina at the Make It Better blog has a good post today (Driving Alone, July 10, 2007) on why more people across the country aren't carpooling or taking transit. According to some it's because sharing the ride represents a decrease in their standard of living while driving is associated with being "well-off." How do you fight this kind of mis-guided perception about personal status and wealth? Haven't we evolved beyond such narrow-minded and selfish interests? Apparently, some of us have not.
Author Chris Balish takes a stab at this myth of "my car = my wealth" in his book How To Live Well Without Owning A Car where he exposes the true and onerous cost of car ownership. Kristina's post furthers the discussion of some recent posts about commuting trends across the nation and here in the Washington, D.C. area (More Evidence That D.C. Area is Bucking National Solo Commute Trend?, July 28, 2007; Could Region's Drive Alone Rate Be Going Down?, June 19, 2007). Thanks Kristina.
Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria
While I personally have no problems riding transit or sharing a ride, is it hard to imagine why some other people may consider it a drop in living standards?
Consider of a few the inconveniences and indignities you may experience when you're not driving your own car:
1. You carpool partner needs to work late or go home early.
2. Someone of "questionable hygine" sits down next to you on the bus.
Happened to me years ago--this guy reeked so much, I thought he was a garbage collector getting off work.
3. Waiting at the bus stop or above ground Metro platform during sweltering summers, freezing winters, and pouring rain.
4. Can't eat on transit and use your morning commute time to eat breakfast and enjoy coffee.
You have your own favorite peeves.
How to "fight this kind of mis-guided perception about personal status and wealth?"
I'd say accentuate the positive advantages--most of them are economic: "Carpool and split your gas and parking costs with others." "You get to use the HOV lanes". "Play human sardine in the Orange Crush and you get to tunnel underneath the traffic jams above."
Of course, some people may never be swayed. As the referenced article summarized, "Americans would rather save time than save money." Saving some $ is great, but time is a more valuable and irreplaceable resource to others--none of us have more than 24 hours worth per day.
Posted by: Commuter 182 | July 17, 2007 at 12:49 AM
It's actually an interesting take, that the ability to destroy value is seen as wealth.
E.g., my girlfriend wants to take the train to NYC. It costs $150 round trip. Or we could take the Chinese bus $35-$50 round trip.
I'd rather do the latter, because that would leave more money to spend on other things.
It's not my call.
E.g., I ride a bike to save time and have more freedom. But others would say that this is an indicator of being poor.
People need to have a broader understanding of economics.
Posted by: Richard Layman | July 16, 2007 at 06:56 PM
Did you happen to catch what gas market analyst Trilby Lundberg said those poor huddled masses who yearn to drive cars American style?
Posted by: Fritz | July 13, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Thank you, Chris. it's funny, too, as some folks who no longer commute via car actually say their standard of living has Increased. Good post.
Posted by: Kristina | July 11, 2007 at 08:13 AM