Would you alter your work commute and routine to save money?
Is the price of your daily commute increasing? Is getting to work more expensive? Would you consider altering your commute and routine to reduce costs?
Loading ...I am hoping the fabulous readers of Newly Corporate will help me do a little bit of research about Corporate car pooling. Fuel prices are increasing. Americans are cutting back and looking for ways to reduce costs. Commute times are increasing as many Americans are moving farther away from work so they can buy a more affordable home.
Has your company recognized that it’s getting harder for employees to afford to come to work? If your company helped organize carpooling, would you participate? Helping employees carpool can increase job satisfaction rates. It can also reduce costs and emissions.
Does your company encourage carpooling? Do they have digital tools to help coordinate rides? Do you have experiences you can share with us? Feel free to email me at little.details.jenson@gmail.com or submit your thoughts in the comments section.
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Tags: business travel, Travel
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April 29th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Personally, I like driving to work in my car. And while I might be in the minority here, if carpooling was an option, I wouldn’t utilize it. I like being in control of when and how I get to work (and, most importantly leave work). The idea of waiting around for carpool buddies sounds horrible to me. If I want to leave early or whatever (whether it be in the AM or PM)… I don’t want to feel dependent on other people.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Laura -
We all have the same feelings - but, you may not be so stuck on your car at 5 6 or 7 bucks a gallon.
If we all take part in the carpooling, mass transit etc. we might just put a damper on the oil execs and prove we can do a lot without them. (no, its not all their fault - we played into it…..lots more on this topic in other places)
To answer the questions from the post - yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.
I am now carpooling - 60 mile roundtrip every day - saving 300 gallons of gas a month between the four of us - 100 each for those of us no longer driving our own cars. Approximate financial savings of $600 per month - about 200 each depending on fuel economy of each car.
Not to mention that we are also cutting down on enviornmental impacts.
Yes, at work they are encouraging us to do this - they are also looking for other ideas to cut back. Led by HR and the green comm. they are getting many new things set up to help find carpool teams and other transit options.
I am writing alot about all these concerns in my personal blog and hope to hear some great comments.
I too would love to take my car to work each day - but feel I must carpool to make a statement - I’m not going to be a sucker anymore and let big oil steal my money!
cougarmark
April 29th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I agree with Laura, but this summer I’m going to try to ride my bike to work. Gets me outside, and I think it would make me feel in control both with my time and money. If not everyday, then every other day (I could also drive my bike to work in the morning, them ride home in the evening and back in in the morning)
April 29th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I actually already altered my situation (for several reasons)
I was losing 2 hours a day commuting, adding 75 miles to my odometer, and paying 35 dollars to fill my tiny gas tank.
Solution, started my own business and work from home. Now I freelance 1-2 days a week in DC (Take the train) and (relatively) earn more. I work less for more money with less expenses.
Hard to beat.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:30 am
This is great feedback. I was expecting responses to be all over the board… Please, keep your thoughts coming
April 30th, 2008 at 8:33 am
While my commute is short and even walkable in nice weather, some of my colleagues don’t have that option. The university I work for pays for half of our public transportation costs (as low as $40 a month for bus only, up to over $100 for those who use the commuter rail). My plastic MBTA (our public transportation system) card is reloaded every month with a monthly link pass (bus and subway), and I only pay $30 out of pocket for an entire month of transportation. It is a great perk for weekends, too, as the card doesn’t only have to be used to get to and from work.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:19 am
My Metro (subway) fare went up 60 cents each way back in January. Not a big deal, but it’s $300/year I’d rather keep in my own pocket. I often plan my day so that I can commute after rush hour (fares are reduced between 9.30 and 3.00 and after 7pm). I also increased the number of times a month that I bike to the office.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:51 am
Living in London I get to use public transport every day, almost door to door. Despite the 45 minutes of train each way, I enjoy having time to read every day! I’m really catching up on the years when I commuted and never really had time to sit down and just read.
On the negative side.. a travel card from zone 1 to zone 8 is $430 a MONTH. What a rip
It does include unlimited bus and rail within most of the greater London area.. so it does have some benefits..
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
I walk to work daily (3.5 miles round trip) and wear sneakers and Crocs with dress clothes. It should become a new fad. I started this last year on a bet from my European cohorts/colleagues that Americans can’t get off their butt and walk to save their life. Provin’ em wrong, one day at a time, and saving money on fuel while I’m at it.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I bought a motorcycle last month. 50 mpg vs my grand prix’s 21 mpg average.
otherwise just drive 55. Going 70 mph kills your gas mileage.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Melissa -
You’re my new hero.
Nate - going 55mph is a great idea - but sometimes a little scary as massive trucks try to run you over.
cougarmark
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Nice to see you here, Melissa. Already making friends