Finding a ride to work can be tricky, depending on how long you spend on your commute. You might live miles away from work or you could be just down the street. Luckily, there are options like Wheels to Work and public transit to make sure you get to your shift on time – no matter how far away you live.
1. City Bus or Train
Public transportation systems vary depending on your location and the city’s infrastructure. From city buses, light rails, subways, cable cars, commuter trains, monorails, trams, and ferries to trolleybuses, coaches, and intercity rail, there can be many options to get to work. Unfortunately, 45% of Americans have no access to public transportation. And those that do might work at a location that does not have access.
To find public transportation in your area, it’s best to search on the internet and then research rates, time schedules, and more. You could also try using Google Maps to find a public transportation route: add the starting and ending address, click on the transit icon, and learn the route, method, and approximate time it will take to get where you need to go.
2. Wheels To Work
The description of Wheels To Work is right in the name! While it is not a national organization, there are numerouis organizations throughout the U.S. that offer Wheels To Work programs. There are just as many different ways that wheels to work programs operate, including:
- Provide a vehicle and driver in exchange for sharing a low-cost fee between participating employers and the employees. The employee schedules a time to be picked up at one of the neighborhood-based hubs and is transported to work. After their shift, they are transported back to their local drop-off point.
- Find a used car for the employee to purchase or rent at a very low cost.
- Assist with low-cost loans for car purchases.
- Offer a private, employer-operated wheels-to-work program.
Searching on the Internet might be the best way to find a wheels-to-work program in your area. Alternatively, if you use an employment agency to find a job, they often have information on wheels to work programs and the specific employers that offer them.
3. Bike
If you own a bike, take advantage of the Summer weather by biking to work. Biking is easy, inexpensive, and good for the environment. Best of all, biking is fun! Find the best route in Google Maps by choosing the “cycling” option. This will help you avoid major streets and highways for a safe ride.
Biking is also convenient if you want to use more than one method of transportation during your trip. Some methods of public transportation allow bikes to travel for free or at a low cost, so you can change the method you travel if you get tired, find it hard to navigate through certain areas, or if weather conditions are poor.
4. Walk
If you are close enough to walk to work, this method provides exercise and costs nothing. Studies have found that walking to work makes you healthier and happier than driving or even taking public transit. Walking is less stressful, helps you live longer, and makes you more social. Not bad for something that you can do for free and whenever you want!
Like biking, this method is easy to combine with other transportation. Walking for even part of your commute gives you health benefits. And catching a bus or calling for a ride is easy when you are already walking.
5. Rideshare Programs
Ridesharing is not a cost-effective way to travel every day but is usually fast. If you’ve missed your bus or it’s raining outside, using a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft will get you to work on time.
Each of these businesses also offers a carpool option (Uber Pool and Lyft Line), in which other passengers may be picked up or dropped off on the way to your destination. You won’t get the car to yourself, but you will save a few bucks.
6. Carpool
If you already own a car and want to save on gas, or don’t have a car but are willing to split the cost of gas, carpooling may be for you. Some areas even have services that match you with other people who have a commute similar to yours. By carpooling to work, you can save money and spend less time driving.
No matter how you choose to get to work, always plan your trip to work before you leave. Being on time makes the day go more smoothly and is an easy way to impress your employer. Combine this with excellent work on the job and you will have no problem succeeding in your new role!
