Wishing I had a Charlie Card: CapMetro Limitations
I'm a freak, I know it. I actually take mass transit, and generally enjoy it.
Back in Boston, I stood next to Governor Dukakis more than once, on the T to Brookline. I never though of getting a car, because I didn't need one. I rarely needed a cab, and that was usually when clubbing with friends.
But in Austin, until recently, people would always look at me like a leper and a freak for taking the bus. The stereotype was that you had to be a student, lost your license, unemployed, or working minimum wage. Working a professional job and taking mass transit? It was inconceivable to the people I work with. With gas over $4 a gallon, people aren't so surprised.
By commuting by bus, I avoid the cost of buying and maintaining a car. I also get to relax and read a book when I commute. And if I'm on an express bus, I usually get wireless access to go with it (and free to boot). And those are some comfortable seats, let me tell you.
Now, since January I've almost exclusively worked from home, which has it's benefits and drawbacks. But tomorrow, I have to go into the office, which has since moved to Capital Metro-less Round Rock.
Which means, I get to take a local bus, an express bus, and a cab. And leave before 6am to do it. I could have a shorter commute, but lo and behold, many of the limited stop and express buses don't run both ways during peak hours. I could shave over two miles off the cab fare... if the TechRidge express bus ran northbound in the morning. But, nooo. Apparently they don't think any Austinites not living in that area work at Dell. No limited stop route from downtown, either. Don't get me wrong, I want to go, it'll be a productive day. But the commute is not one to look forward to.
I certainly hope their fare increase goes towards having a more extensive, sensible service. It's not like they have the comprehensive service of the nation's oldest mass transit system. They are rumored to be the least expensive metropolitan transit system in the country, but they are probably the most limited in services as well.
Back in Boston, I stood next to Governor Dukakis more than once, on the T to Brookline. I never though of getting a car, because I didn't need one. I rarely needed a cab, and that was usually when clubbing with friends.But in Austin, until recently, people would always look at me like a leper and a freak for taking the bus. The stereotype was that you had to be a student, lost your license, unemployed, or working minimum wage. Working a professional job and taking mass transit? It was inconceivable to the people I work with. With gas over $4 a gallon, people aren't so surprised.
By commuting by bus, I avoid the cost of buying and maintaining a car. I also get to relax and read a book when I commute. And if I'm on an express bus, I usually get wireless access to go with it (and free to boot). And those are some comfortable seats, let me tell you.
Now, since January I've almost exclusively worked from home, which has it's benefits and drawbacks. But tomorrow, I have to go into the office, which has since moved to Capital Metro-less Round Rock.
Which means, I get to take a local bus, an express bus, and a cab. And leave before 6am to do it. I could have a shorter commute, but lo and behold, many of the limited stop and express buses don't run both ways during peak hours. I could shave over two miles off the cab fare... if the TechRidge express bus ran northbound in the morning. But, nooo. Apparently they don't think any Austinites not living in that area work at Dell. No limited stop route from downtown, either. Don't get me wrong, I want to go, it'll be a productive day. But the commute is not one to look forward to. I certainly hope their fare increase goes towards having a more extensive, sensible service. It's not like they have the comprehensive service of the nation's oldest mass transit system. They are rumored to be the least expensive metropolitan transit system in the country, but they are probably the most limited in services as well.
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