Living in a big city offers lots of opportunities, but it also means dealing with traffic, high parking costs, and pricey taxi/rideshare fares. Fortunately, many urban areas provide affordable public transit and alternative transportation options to help residents and visitors get around cheaply and easily. With some planning, you can skip expensive parking garages and ride-hailing services.
Public Buses and Trains
Most major cities have a public bus and/or rail system that provides a low-cost way to get around town. Research routes that service the areas you need to reach frequently. One-way fares are very reasonable, often just a few dollars. But the real savings come from purchasing a weekly or monthly unlimited-ride pass, which allows you to hop on and off as needed for a single upfront cost.
Park and Ride Options
For those who live in the suburbs or have longer commutes, park and ride facilities offer a convenient hybrid option. You can drive to a designated parking lot near a transit station, then board a train, bus, or shuttle for the remaining trip into the city. This eliminates the headache of navigating urban traffic and scoring a downtown parking spot. Park and ride costs vary but are typically just a few dollars for an all-day parking pass plus your transit fare, which is still cheaper than hourly garage fees.
City Bike Sharing Programs
Bicycles are an extremely affordable urban transit option, and many cities now offer community bike sharing/rental programs. For a minimal fee (usually $3-5 per 30 minutes or a daily/monthly membership), you can pick up a bike from any self-service station, ride to your destination, then return it to a nearby station. The people at Canyon Sports say that using a bike rental for short trips prevents the hassle of hauling your personal bike on buses or trains.
Money-Saving Rideshare Alternatives
While Uber and Lyft remain expensive choices for routine transportation, several competing services have emerged in recent years offering lower pricing:
- Split ride services like UberPOOL match multiple riders headed the same direction.
- Flat rate rideshares like Lyft Line give a single upfront price no matter the distance.
- Shared van/shuttle services like ViaVan run efficient routes to transport multiple passengers affordably.
Do some comparison shopping to find your city’s most economical rideshare options for when bus/train routes don’t work.
Walking Is Free and Healthy
For destinations less than a mile away, it is often faster and easier to walk rather than dealing with parking headaches or transit schedules. Walking more is also a simple way to build exercise into your daily routine for better health. Just keep safety top-of-mind, avoid walking alone late at night, and wear comfortable shoes.
Zipcar or Traditional Car Rental
If you need a vehicle for longer periods or out-of-city travel, consider services like Zipcar that allow you to rent cars by the hour or day for a reasonable fee. Rates for traditional rental cars are also cheaper when you only pay for the days you actually need one versus owning a permanent vehicle in the city.
Embrace Alternative Transit
Many urbanites significantly reduce transportation costs by relying primarily on public transit, walking, biking, and ridesharing. A couple tips if this car-free or car-lite lifestyle appeals to you:
- Buy a set of wheels for errands around town, such as a bicycle or electric scooter/skateboard. The initial cost offsets quickly versus car ownership.
- Fully leverage monthly transit passes, walking and rideshare alternatives to reduce transportation spending.
Conclusion
With the right approach, city living doesn’t have to mean draining your budget on transportation. Smart urban residents take advantage of public systems, emerging technologies, and their own muscle power to get around in affordable style.
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