After spending 30.50 on one trip, a Londoner posted an online rant. Take to RedditThey wrote: “I am giving in to the environment, it is too expensive!” Today I came to the realization that running my polluting automobile is much cheaper than taking a bus. Today’s commute was Beckton to Stansted airport.
“The back and forth trip cost me 3 to the DLR, 22 to the bus to Stansted Airport, and 5.50 to a local bus. Total: 30.50. Google Maps showed me that I could drive this distance in 50 minutes, while the bus took me 1.5 hours. Costs of a car (VW Golf 2007 1.5 petrol ULEZ compliant), 10 for a 33-mile drive, 2 insurance per person, 1 road tax and 2 potential wear and tear. Total: 15.
“The car was 1,200 to purchase. Why bother? The government should provide incentives, since we are currently in an environmental crisis. It’s also true that the whole economy is rigged to keep people in poverty. I really do feel sorry for people that are just trying to make ends meet dealing with this bulls*** on a daily basis.”
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(Image: narvikk/Getty Images)
People quickly responded to the question with one person saying that it was not a journey that could be done in public transport. Public transport is great for commuting from, let’s say, Beckton to Hammersmith. Although it will take some time, it will still be affordable.
Another person wrote, “Our transport network does not have the infrastructure to support peripheral journeys like the one you did.” “I support active travel and have no issue with what your did. There are times when a car is necessary, and this seems like a reasonable situation. London has a third of all car journeys under 2km, which can be easily walked and cycled. It would be a big help to get people to change their journeys, if there are viable alternatives.
(Image: Marathon/Geograph/(cc-by-sa/2.0))
Another person blamed big corporations for the problem: “With all the setup, it’s impossible to afford even doing the same thing as before and still afford food. This is why so many people do what they do now. You don’t deserve any criticism. Besides most of the pollution comes down to conglomerates/corporations, oil and non-renewable energy companies and governments.
“The narrative has been pushed to the individual for them to do their part, while those with real power and influence continue to ruin the environment for all of us. The effect of switching from plastic straws and paper straws was minimal compared with the amount of rogue fish nets floating in the wake from mass fishing. It’s all bulls***, and definitely another way to keep people poor. It shouldn’t be us doing all this work. It should be them. While they have the power, profits are more important to them.
Would you rather drive to Stansted or take public transport? We’d love to hear from you in the comments
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