I appreciate Ms. Parkhill”s comments today on driving costs and Lake Transit costs. I also read the recent AAA driving costs article.
Many drivers are math impaired and don”t know their gas mileage, let alone the per-mile cost of insurance, maintenance, tires, registration, depreciation, the rare but expensive parking lot dent, windshield crack, bridge toll, parking costs and major repairs of older cars.
If they value their time, they also spend hours and money cleaning, maintaining and driving their cars. Driving stress, gas fumes, garages equal more money per mile.
I know that a small car traveling 100 miles today in California costs more than $50. This can be figured out with a couple of years” driving records or by going to a website such as Edmonds.com. Small hybrid cars really aren”t any cheaper, just cleaner.
Motorcycles and scooters can be cheaper, especially commuting, but usually lack a car”s cargo space.
Anyway, the bus is cheapest of all even with the extra time involved, especially for disabled and senior riders.
If Lake Transit corrected the errors and omissions of its schedules then riding the bus could be simpler and less stressful. More riders could mean more busses eventually.
And more people shopping locally means merchants offering more selection at better prices.
Wendy White
Glenhaven
