We don’t have bus service where I live…but that is a lot of trips do expect you to do if you don’t need to.
AverageJoe posted:
MSKIMBERLY, I have several friends that drive for Uber and work out a discount for people who request them specifically. They are all retiree’s and they take the fares they want. I was surprised when we were told by one of our friends one night at dinner in his home that he had been giving several elderly or handicapped people discounts if the requested him specifically. Others told me the same. It was an uplifting thing to know that some truly worried about these people. It is far less expensive than the local taxi services, of which there are many, and the cars are much more reliable. As far as a “story”…I guess that comes from me being one who writes or attempts to.
That is fantastic to know. We need to more about the good in this life. You do write with soul.
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I took the bus. A bus monthly bus pass is the best way to save money for rides because you can ride the bus unlimited with a pass verses $2.00 per ride.
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If you have bus service, that sounds like a good idea.
IIn our area there is a bus service, but they are cutting some of the funding for it. We didn’t have any bus service in Mufreesboro until about ten years ago, and it grew very quickly. But, they haven’t continued to grow like people thought they would. Therefore, they cut one route which will stop operating at the end of August. There could be more cuts coming soon. We have so many “buy here” car lots that many people have opted to put down the $500 and pay $95.00 a week for 56-84 weeks. The cars aren’t great, but, that’s how we started after we got here and sold our Cadillac and bought a vehicle from a relative who didn’t do us right on the sale, taking the vehicle back after he and his wife got the second auto they wanted. We were thankful for the way the dealer we had worked with us. If it’s ever possible to save the down payment and budget weekly to keep the car until it’s paid off, even with SS it helps build your credit and helps one to be able to buy a newer, more dependable vehicle.
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Yes, i pay every day ride to save my budget
Unused budget put into my piggy bank.
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Marjie posted:
I do not have a car because I cannot afford one. Social Security is not that generous! In my town not having a car is a real drawback. The bus service here is less than great. Buses run once an hour and do not go everywhere. BUT I can take my mobility scooter on the buses at least. If I could afford a car, I could afford taxis/uber.
The cost between having a car with insurance, repairs, gas, oil changes, registration, etc is not near the same as taking a taxi or Uber. And Uber is easily half what a taxi is and cleaner and quicker. The bus is cheapest but not always convenient. We have a free dash bus that goes in a circle around our downtown area.
Bartering with friends, neighbors, and family for rides is another option.
Also, there are mobility transports for the disabled or wheelchair riders to regular community events or shopping. (just google it) I know that some ambulance companies offer non-emergency transportation for scooters/disabled. I found the rates reasonable if booked in advance, but it is not required. And both these modes of transport had loyalty plans you could join to save even more money. With or without a guest rider or your chair/scooter.
Also, we utilize a home health aide that Medicare &/or Medicaid pays for depending on your disability. I personally do the transport for Dr appts, the grocery store, or other errands while bringing their chair in my vehicle. I will usually call ahead to see about wheelchairs or scooters at the destination before I transport the chairs.
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I’m contemplating not replacing my lease vehicle when I return it; and many times I find other ways to have transportation. Here, we have local programs for seniors where they get a discounted rate on share rides locally, within 10 miles. I use Lyft because I have felt safest in Lyft and we have some good local drivers. When I travel, I use Lyft as well. But I only use that if there is distance or I am carrying something. I like to walk and when I lived in another state, I used the bus to get to work, and walked a fair distance as well, but I loved it.
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Lyft was offering a $14.99 option for $5 off your next 20 rides at the first of August. I bought it and have used it five times so far and it works…at the top of the display is a note saying that you’ve saved $5 off this ride. Hope this is something they will offer again in the future.
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I hadn’t heard that about Lyft. I’ve had friends that have used Lyft, but it’s always been Uber that has offered more discounts here. I could check with my friends who drive for both again, but, they were the ones who told me about the ability of the Uber drivers to get something worked out for their customers. It’s great if Lyft is giving those kinds of discounts, though. I’d recommend using them if they’re available and can help you save money.
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Honestly, I always go for public transit, i.e. buses, trains, etc… Yes you have to deal with a bunch of strangers in a cramped space, but you always know how much it will cost and you can take solace knowing that you are harder to kidnap in those places.
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@miranda.mattson I never thought of being kidnapped on a bus or any other transit option. Smart thinking!
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The thing about the car sharing services is being aware. Let the driver ask for you by name first or you ask who they are picking up. Make sure the car tag, color, and picture match what you see on your phone. Pay attention; don’t be on your phone talking. Only then should you get in the car. I heard these tips on a national news segment, and now I use them. I once had a car come for me with the correct tag and car color, but the driver was a male when it should have been a female. The male told me that he was driving today for his girlfriend, whose picture was listed. What! I didn’t get into the car and I reported it to Uber. This was when I was still using Uber.
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Hmmm,
The Mass Transit bus system here in the Baltimore is subsidized at 50%, a waste of taxpayers money, the riders should pay full price for the service, yet they dont. There many criminal incidents on the buses and at bus stops that go unreported, it makes the mass transit system look bad.
The taxpayers here pay for the buses and the trains (light rail and subway) to move people. Plus there are free buses-the circulator buses-to help people get around.
So in answer to the question…drive, walk, uber, lyft, taxi…pay your own way. Why do we need to pay for those who do not make their own way? Take care of yourself, paying for others makes people lazy.
Public trsnspotation is an ideal here, yet, you could not pay me enough to get on it. Hope your environment is safer.
Best to all.
I knew a teacher, in high school, who was kidnapped by a taxi driver on her way home from a party. You can never be too careful!
I used the bus and light rail system for the first time in 23 years and it was pretty good. You should look into it.
MsKimberly posted:
For those of you who do not drive, what is the cheapest way for you to get where you are going? That may be work, church, shopping or the library. Is it a taxi, Uber, a private driver or some other day?
Take public transport - buses and trains
redcatcec posted:
Hmmm,
The Mass Transit bus system here in the Baltimore is subsidized at 50%, a waste of taxpayers money, the riders should pay full price for the service, yet they dont. There many criminal incidents on the buses and at bus stops that go unreported, it makes the mass transit system look bad.
The taxpayers here pay for the buses and the trains (light rail and subway) to move people. Plus there are free buses-the circulator buses-to help people get around.
So in answer to the question…drive, walk, uber, lyft, taxi…pay your own way. Why do we need to pay for those who do not make their own way? Take care of yourself, paying for others makes people lazy.
Public trsnspotation is an ideal here, yet, you could not pay me enough to get on it. Hope your environment is safer.
Best to all.
I don’t know how many times I have been to Baltimore and never knew that.
To SN5,
What city do you live in? Sounds lie a safe place.
Nashville was trying to put in a light rail system and the voters said NO! The way they were wanting to bring it in by selling bonds, etc., would have been counterproductive. We have had a train service that goes from SOME of the smaller cities into Nashville, but only on the I 40 corridor. It wasn’t thought out well and only covers that area. It needs to pull in from cities like Murfreesboro and some small other areas. This area wasn’t ready for such explosive growth and never got things like this right. Now after having so many move in over the years, they’re trying to make it right.
