This morning I had to go into the main city of Vancouver, BC. I live in a suburb called Abbotsford. The total distance was about 80km. Now I have a nice comfy SUV and an quite capable of driving into the city.
However, the above images were taken by me on the train today.
But if I have a vehicle why did I take the train. I have money, I have a vehicle yet I still decided to join that crowded group of people on the train.
YES the train is cheaper
NO that wasn't the reason.
The trip for my wife and I was about $12 and then another $12 to return. I could have easily spent the $50 for parking and the $26 difference would make very little difference to me. Sure I like saving money as any person who knows me will tell you.
However, I didn't take the train for economic reasons.
YES taking an electric train into the city is less polluting
NO that isn't the reason I took the train.
Sure I want to do my part for the environment. I recycle, I compost, I have an electric vehicle and I try to walk as much as possible. I try to use as little electricity as possible and generally do my part for the environment. Public transit is an excellent way to reduce overall environmental impact and I highly recommend it to everyone.
But again, NO that isn't the reason I took the train.
I took the train because it is a BETTER choice for getting into the city. Yes, I did take my vehicle for part of the way but not all the way. You see the train has a "Park and Ride" spot with cheap and easily available parking. I just drive to a nice central location and pay $3 for parking. Lots of space and no hassles. From there I hop on the train and it takes me to a station about 10min walk from my destination.
Drive time to the park and ride : 40 min
Time for train to city : 40 min
Walk time to the hotel : 10 min.
Total time: 90 minutes
Stress Level : Low
If I were to take the bus from my house to the train? Bus time to the park and ride - 2 hrs. NOPE bad idea.
If I were to drive all the way to the hotel.
Rush Hour traffic to the city : 2hrs
Time to find parking : 10 minutes
Walk to the hotel : 10 minutes.
Total time (if I'm lucky) : 140 minutes.
Stress level : High (city traffic sucks).
I like saving time more than money.
I like aiming for stress free and simple as much as possible.
Sometimes that means taking Public Transit. So even for those people who have the means to use other ways of transportation going Public can be a great option.
Jeepney, Bus, Trike (Keke Napep) for my Nigerian friends, Plane, Ship, Train, Walking or something else...it is always wise to look at all methods of transportation before making a choice.
Thinking of Public Transportation (or Loser Cruiser) is often the wiser and easier choice!
In a perfect world Public Transportation should not be memorable. It should be as easy as pay, hop on, hop off. No hassles and no interruptions. Now with air flights its considerably more complicated but in general the best trip is one you don't remember.
I'm happy to say that the vast majority of times I've taken the bus, train, plan or other transit things have been totally unremarkable. The true sign that things are going well. Actually finding a time when things didn't go according to plan is actually quite difficult.
However there is one time when I was on the train that there was an conversation I will never forget.
Now I will admit that I ws not actually part of this conversation. I was with my wife coming back from watching a hockey game on a busy train. We were happily sitting there quietly watching the track go by. However, there were a couple of people who were chatting rather loudly so we couldn't help for overhear.
There were two immigrants chatting about how they wished they hadn't come to Canada. Now as a born and raised Canadian I wanted to hear why they were unhappy being in Canada. Listening to them chat they enjoyed the friendly people. They enjoyed the quietness of life and security of the country. They enjoyed the food and they enjoyed their wage. I was listening to them chat and when they stated their unhappiness I had to chuckle quietly to myself.
Why were they unhappy?
Hard work
They had two main complaints:
Their employer expected them to work hard for their entire shift. Canadians make a good wage (on average) but their employers expect them to work for it. When these people were lamenting not having enough time to talk to their co-workers? What could I say, I agree with the employer--employees are paid to work :)
They didn't have a maid, chauffeur or houseboy.
They had to make their own food. Make their own bed. Clean their own house and drive their own car! In Canada I don't think I have ever met someone with a maid, chauffeur, or personal chef. In general people take care of themselves. Only those who are disabled, very elderly, or mentally incompetent have someone to look after them.
Now in the Philippines where my family life maids and house helpers are common so I do not belittle these immigrants complaints.
However, from a Canadian viewpoint--live in Canada: work like a Canadian--
Now not all Canadians are hardworking and not all jobs here are demanding.
Generalizing a country is typically a bad idea.
However, grumbling that you miss your made and personal chef after coming to a country to make more money.....
.....That made for a memory in public transport I will never forget.
That's my submission to #hiveleaners today.
As always,
Love comments and thanks for reading
