Quote:
Originally Posted by miketoronto
If you did have a car, there is no way the train would be cheaper. Most people who have cars do not factor in all costs and just worry about gas, as that is the main cost if you already own a car.
You could probably drive round trip from Kingston to Ottawa on like 20 or 30 dollars worth of gas.
$465 is just way too high for such a short trip. For that cost you could own a car and gas it up each month.
Believe me, I understand why you take the train, and I would do the same. But it ends up costing more than the car.
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Are you serious? If I was driving 2,500km every single damn month, I'd spend a hell of a lot more than $465 per month!
Gas is NOT the only cost of driving per kilometre. Far from it. Every kilometre you drive means less time to your next oil change, less time to your next tire replacement, and ultimately, less time until you have to buy a whole new car.
Driving a staggering 2,500km a month, I'd have to replace my tires, change my oil, fill up my brake fluid, and such very often. The costs would be astronomical.
A car lasts what, 300,000km before it dies for good? I'd have 10 years per car. That alone is say, $1600 a year if I get a good deal on a new sedan. Comes out to $133 per month.
I'd also be averaging some $250 per month in gas costs.
My workplace in Ottawa charges for parking as well; $5 per day, $60 per month. That's some $25 per month in parking costs for me.
We're up to $408.
Plus factor in that due to tax credits (which cannot be claimed for any auto-related expenses), that $465 will actually be $401 in the end. Boom, already cheaper, and we're not even factoring in ANY mechanical or maintenance costs.
Trust me, I made the financially smart decision.
I think you're completely ignoring my 'cherry on the sundae' point as well.
I can work on the train, and get some hours in DURING my train commute. I cannot do that if I'm driving.
Also, such a short trip???
Kingston to Ottawa is 200 kilometres!!!! That's TWICE the distance from Toronto to Kitchener. That's not a short commute. A monthly pass just in the city proper of Toronto costs $140, and that's talking about distance of what, 40km max?