Getting from A to B is something that we all need to do almost every day of our lives. Whether you’re doing the daily commute to work, visiting friends, meeting family for lunch or running errands. But there are plenty of reasons to avoid driving. Firstly, think of the environment. If everyone drove separately we’d be experiencing climate change at a much faster rate than we even are now. Then consider the high cost of car finance, fuel, insurance and road tax. If you live out in the sticks, driving might be the only viable option when it comes to making longer trips. But in the city, you have a multitude of options. Here are some easy ways to get around the city without breaking the bank.
Taxi Cabs
Okay, getting a taxi might sound expensive. We can just see the metre ticking up and up by the second, as you sit in what appears to be a never-ending queue of traffic. But the way that we use taxis has changed dramatically in the past few years. Thanks to apps such as Uber and Lyft, ordering a taxi can be as simple as pressing a couple of buttons. What’s more? You don’t even need to have cash on you. The app will take the payment straight from your registered bank account. A fare will be estimated and deducted from your balance automatically once your journey is complete. The apps have a new feature which is particularly useful if you’re not in a rush and fancy saving a bit of cash. You can opt to taxi share. If someone else in your area is ordering a taxi to travel along a similar route as you are, you can opt to let them jump in and share the fare with you. Convenient or what? If you are unfamiliar with how to operate the apps, there’s plenty of Uber and Lyft help out there.
Buses
Buses don’t scream elegance. But they will get you from A to B for a much lower price than any other form of public transport. Bus services have radically improved as of late, with providers wanting to provide their service users with the best possible experience. Certain buses even offer wifi now. If you’re hard of sight or aren’t sure where to get off, some new buses are “talking buses” – they will announce the stops as the bus pulls over. Make sure to know whether the buses in your area accept cash or contactless card payments so you can pay and get on quickly once the vehicle arrives.
Trains
Trains are most often faster than buses and will get you to where you need to be without the threat of traffic delays. They may be a little more pricey, but many services will offer concession prices to children, the elderly and individuals with passes.
Walking
With so many options available to us, it’s easy to forget that you can most likely walk a lot of the journeys that we decide to use public transport for. If you have the time, try it out. It’s free, the best option for the environment and will leave you feeling refreshed and awake. You’ll see things you might often miss as you whizz by at high speed.
