Among the many choices we have to make today is that of utilizing public transportation versus an automobile. Some things to consider are cost, environmental effects, freedom to travel whenever and wherever one would like, and personal interaction with others. One important similarity is that both options create jobs for other people; be it the man driving the bus, or the people working hard on the assembly line to build your car, wages are being made. Another similarity is that one must know how to navigate both, using road maps in the car, or route maps for the subway and bus lines. And even though both modes of transportation get us where we need to go, there are advantages and disadvantages towards both.
For the typical person earning an average income, cost is one of the largest factors. Public transportation, such as a bus, subway, or train, costs between one to two dollars per ride, depending on where someone lives. When a passenger transfers to another bus or train line, along the same route, they are usually given a free transfer, which is quite cost efficient. The combined fares of the passengers pay for the vehicles, drivers salaries, and also the maintenance and upkeep of the vehicles. A car, on the other hand, requires much more than a dollar or two before one can even hit the road. A person needs anywhere between a thousand dollars for a used car in bad condition, to tens of thousands of dollars for a new and prestigious car. Fees for registering your car, purchasing a license plate, and insuring your car in case of theft or an accident are a few more upfront costs a driver must pay. Let's not forget gasoline and oil, of which the cost can vary greatly on a daily basis, and general repairs and maintenance, which can be quite expensive. Last winter, after returning from New York where I did not need a car, I had to purchase a new used car. After paying three thousand for the car it self, I then had to pay several hundred dollars to the Secretary of State for tax and license plate fees.