Home » Archives » 06. July 2008
Transportation Math
July 6, 2008The latest round of oil price hikes has made me do something I wouldn’t ordinarily do: take public transportation. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I think commuting is beneath me, but having gotten used to driving myself around, it has been quite some time since I’ve taken public transpo within the city. If ever I had to, I often took cabs. It’s really just so much more convenient….
Well, since last nights increase finally tipped gas prices over sixty bucks, I decided to give up using my car whenever I go to the clinic in Cubao. After all, I figured it was not that difficult to get to Cubao from Paranaque anyway. Before the prices went up, I would only be saving about 50-80 pesos if I took the bus rather than the car. Not really that bad a price to pay for convenience, comfort and feeling safe during the trip. However, now that I stop and think about it, because gas prices are so high, taking the car to Cubao has truly ceased being cost-efficient, especially since I don’t earn a fixed income at the clinic. As a psychologist, I don’t take in a standard salary, rather I’m limited to a consultation fee depending on the number of clients I see. Given that there are days when I only see one client, my fees are dispensed completely in gas and toll fees, not to mention the wear-and-tear of the car. (more…)
