I don’t think I’ve ever discussed my personal finances. I’m actually quite careful wth how I spend — and I think it simply because it is my parents’ money, so I’d feel guilty not being careful. I mean, I do have quite a bit of my own money, but my parents always tell me to save that money for later on. Thus, every time I go out (well, almost every time), they give me some spending money.
On the 9th, yes, three days ago, I decided to go into the city with some friends (Oakland area). I never knew how expensive a small trip could become. Even though the majority of things were quite expensive in Canada, in comparison to the USA, transportation sure wasn’t! Below is a breakdown of exactly what I spent for travelling purposes. Oh, one more thing. For any of you who do not live in the Bay Area of California, BART stands for Bay Area Rapid Transit (metro).
| Ticket | Cost |
| 1 bus ticket from San Ramon to BART in Dublin | $3.00 |
| 1 BART ticket from Dublin to Oakland | $6.00 |
| 1 bus ticket from BART Oakland to mall | $3.00 |
| TOTAL | $12.00 |
Okay, before you say “that isn’t too expensive”, please let me finish. This was just one way. I had to pay the same to come back.
Total Cost of Transportation
**DRUM ROLL**
↓
$12.00 x 2 = $24.00
I felt like this was ridiculous. Especially in such an economy, isn’t this a bit much to ask for transportation. In Canada, the buses were all set in a way that one would be able to get a transfer. This means that if you got on the bus at 1PM, you could get a transfer, thus for up to 2 hours after, you would get on for free. As you can see, took the bus twice within a time span of 45 minutes, and had to pay both times.
For those who live in the city, this is not a problem. They simply need to take one bus and they are at their destination. I just feel as if more thought needs to be put in for those living in the suburban areas. Paying $24.00 in one day, just or transportation is a bit ridiculous. Might I add, I also had to pay for one of my friends bus fare, so add another $6.00. Isn’t $30.00 just for transportation, just for a day, a bit too much? Add in the cost of my food and some other miscellaneous items, and this comes up to be a high cost day. Forget shopping at the mall – what do I look like, Bill Gates?
I’d also add in the fact that Oakland is completely gang infested. I’m quite new to the Bay Area as I’ve mentioned before, and I had an idea it was quite bad, but not as bad as this. For the amount I paid, I’d say it was a day well wasted. Nonetheless, a learning experience – now I know for next time! Hopefully I can save up quickly and buy a car. Nothing nice obviously, just something that will get me around.
This was pretty fun venting – and kind of neat to share my personal finances. I’ll be back soon with some more of my personal finances! For now, feel free to share any similar experiences you’ve had previously, or regularly. Be sure to state where you live!
Shocking pblic transportation cost. When i see the table on the article, i think we can’t say other thing but to say : “EXPENSIVE”. Haha…Hopefully you can find better way to transport but with more cheaper cost
Haha! That is true. Biking could be a possibility, but it’s very hot here in California
@the gooroo
. There is only a bit people who use bicycle nowadays.
Why? Embarassing because no one use bicycle? In my city also
btw, reply comment is limited just for 3 times, right? so i make this new column
Public Transportation Is Ridiculous — My Personal Finances (I) | Finance great article thank you.
Kurye,
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the article
Great article. Public transportation is really expensive in the Bay Area. $24 sounds way too much. If there were 2 of you, we’re looking at $48. Imagine now if you had a friend and 2 kids riding with you.
But BART and the other public transportation systems needs your money. They pay very generous overtime, pension, and health benefits to their employees, as well as indulge in generous contracts for preferred private companies.
If you already have a car, and are making payments and paying insurance, then public transportation is definitely more expensive than driving. And that’s with driving alone (one person in the car) in a gas guzzler doing 20 miles per gallon.
I vaguely remember that when you leave the BART station you can pick up a transfer, and it gives you a discount on the bus ride. The other option is riding a bike to BART, and from BART to the mall, which saves $6 one way. Or you can just carpool with friends.
I really wonder why more people don’t carpool. On the freeway, almost every car has one person in it. Yeah, more convenient, but expensive and bad for congestion and pollution.
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Akira,
Exact what I say when I see the table. I think maybe I’ll just walk next time — it may take 10 or so hours, but I think it would be worth it…
Really? But how about time efficiency? Walking is OK and healthy but take too long timr
Haha! Embarrassment may be a factor
I agree — not many people use bicycles anymore.
Well, you can comment more than 3 times, but it becomes very nested, thus hard to read. So it’s a good thing you started a new column.
In your country, is tbere any car free day or bicycle day? In my country, there is bicycle day, in this time is a chance to ride bicycle without embarrased
When I lived in Canada, there was some sort of similar environmental day. Although, here in the USA, I am not aware of such day
Great point. Luckily I don’t have kids yet
I believe I have also heard something regarding getting a transfer for the bus when you get off BART — just remembered that. I’ll definitely look out for that next time..save a bit of money.
You’re right. I see so many cars with just one person occupying it, and it really confuses me. We could cut down the number of cars by almost a fourth if everyone would somewhat car pool. Obviously that is not completely realistic, but who knows.