Driving vs. Taking public transport to university, weighing the pros and cons

sausagedelay on 19/08/2014 - 15:45

I've been considering driving a car to university and below I've listed the pros and cons and I could use OzBargain's insight/opinions.

University is 27.4km away and will use approximately $6-7 of petrol both ways (assuming $1.59/L, 7L/100km for Toyota Corolla hatchback 96). Parking permit costs $92 annually and will cost $1.09 a day (84 days of class a year).

A return ticket from my station to my university costs $5.20. I can get dropped off and picked up at the station.

Pros of driving:

  • takes 30-35 mins to get there
  • more flexible than taking public transport as trains only come in certain intervals

Cons of driving:

  • more expensive than public transport
  • sometimes parking can be hard to find

Pros of train:

  • can revise/cram on the train
  • costs less

Cons of train:

  • takes almost 1hr to get to university (45 mins of train, ~8 mins of walking after)
  • may be unreliable due to delays or sudden circumstances
General Discussion

Comments

  • cwongtech on 19/08/2014 - 15:54
    +6

    Are there any other students that live around you who could possibly carpool? You could take turns driving, split fuel costs. This would address the "costs less" on a day-to-day basis (ignoring car acquisition costs), and possibly revise/cram issue.

    Trains do bypass most peak-traffic though.

  • pao2x on 19/08/2014 - 16:03
    +1

    Car. That hour you save a day gives you more time to yourself to do whatever + less hassle with the pickup dropoff. Less exercise though

  • happychappy1 on 19/08/2014 - 16:26
    +2

    What about a 3rd option: Bicycle / electrically assisted bicycle?

    At ~$10 a day for the train, or more for the car, this would pay for itself within a year.

    Plus, it'll save you time going to the gym / you'll stay health.

    Also, no problems with traffic on a bike, so less stress.

    Any luggage you may have, you can put in a pannier/basket/rack bag.

    Cycling is different to driving, so stick to back streets or bicycle paths and you should be pretty safe too.

    • sausagedelay on 19/08/2014 - 16:59
      +5

      A good 3/4 of my trip is on hume highway going 110km/h (shortest route), so if I were to take a bicycle I'd be pedalling all day, and also it'd be dangerous riding on the side of cars going that fast. Thanks for the suggestion though

      • happychappy1 on 19/08/2014 - 18:18

        Where's home vs. destination? I can have a look to see if there are any better routes. Remember that you generally don't take the same route on a bike as a car (i.e., main roads).

        So I assume it's UNSW you're going to?

        • sausagedelay on 19/08/2014 - 19:16
          +1

          Fairfield to UWS Macarthur, I don't think cycling it is a viable option in terms of time and effort

        • scrimshaw on 19/08/2014 - 19:21

          UWS represent!

          The parking situation is atrocious on my campus (Parra) most people would rather go by bus.

          Especially shocking when there's exams and that's the time where most people would take a bus rather than having to waste time parking the car which will have you run the risk of missing the test.

        • happychappy1 on 19/08/2014 - 21:32

          @sausagedelay: I was talking to a guy once… apparently you can fit powerful powerful motors that let bikes go pretty fast (read: 70-80k's).

          Maybe that's an option? Would be suitable for back roads & quite a thrill to ride. But it wouldn't be legal obviously :)

        • Windows7forever on 20/08/2014 - 19:14
          +1

          @scrimshaw:
          We might have crossed paths before. I'm on the same campus virtually every day. We should meet up sometime to discuss bargains and technology and shit LOL.

      • r2160 on 06/08/2015 - 08:45

        I have ridden numerous times along the hume highway from liverpool to campbelltown and back. It isnt as dangerous as you think. Besides there are so many back roads to take, you have almost unlimited options.
        You could ride from Fairfield, along the M7 cycleway to prestons, then the hume highway (or back roads) to campbelltown.
        I currently commute 32km to work and I am almost 50. You are around 18. If I can, anybody can.
        Alternatively, a train gives you around 2 hours of study time each trip. Valuable time!!!

  • bxpressiv on 19/08/2014 - 16:53
    +7

    Study/reading on PT is great, better than time wasted in a car. If you get in the habit of using that in your study routine for revision your retention of info will be greatly enhanced. Could potentially free up time outside of travel time which you lost by taking longer, making it time neutral.

  • wonderboy on 19/08/2014 - 16:57
    +1

    It's already second semester so the parking permit will be half price

  • rambutann on 19/08/2014 - 17:07
    +4

    This is why I got a motorcycle. No parking costs and cheaper than public transport fuel costs lol

    • pao2x on 19/08/2014 - 17:13
      +6

      Also 5x more injuries and deaths per accident compared to a car.

      • rambutann on 19/08/2014 - 17:33
        +3

        yes but 90% of the deaths occur when people are at least 30kmph over the speed limit. fun fact 101.

        • pao2x on 20/08/2014 - 22:23
          +3

          you can only control your vehicle

        • h4zey on 21/08/2014 - 12:30
          +2

          if you are too afraid to do anything, you won't achieve anything.

        • zeomega on 21/08/2014 - 12:49
          +7

          @h4zey:
          If you're dead you won't achieve anything.

        • hahaboy on 21/08/2014 - 21:24
          +3

          @zeomega: why do anything in life? Walking down the street has an inherent risk? Eating a burger is likely shortening your life? Why not just stay cooped up at home all day to avoid maximum risks.

          h4zey has considered the pros/cons for himself and considers it better. What's to argue about that?

      • BuyoTheCat on 04/08/2015 - 11:54

        OMG!!!! my life is in mortal danger!!!!

    • arescarti42 on 20/08/2014 - 23:24
      +3

      This is exactly why I got a motorcycle as well. Public transport in Canberra is crap, and vacant car parks at the ANU are like unicorns.

      • elf888 on 21/08/2014 - 12:44
        +1

        Motorcycle +1! Only bad thing is the current weather!

  • spacecowboy on 19/08/2014 - 21:36
    +4

    Schedule your classes into as few days as possible to avoid having to drive so often. Try squeezing classes into 2 days if possible, 3 days at most. Driving all the way to campus for a 1-2 hour class is poor time management.

    If you take afternoon or night classes (ie. start at 3pm onwards) there will be parking spaces near campus. Any earlier, you are going to have to park alot further away & walk to campus. Having a late start one day a week can be a nice change to have. I've had classes that finished at 8pm (even 9pm once). Plenty of free seats in late classes. Also less traffic coming home at nighttime.

    Don't schedule your tutorials across all the days you are on campus. Try to squeeze them into 1 or 2 days. That way you can still miss the odd day on campus, & not miss any of your tutorials. You can usually catch up a missed lecture from the slides, reading the textbook & (if available) the podcast.

    If you miss a tutorial though there is no catch up. You can lose grade points for non-attendance, not contributing to the discussion, not handing in homework, etc, etc. Give yourself a uni day with no tutorials if possible so you have one day available you can stay home on in emergencies to study for a hard exam, finish an assignment, etc. You will definitely use it!

    If you keep your days on campus to 3 maximum, & plan the times you drive to reduce traffic & parking hassles, driving is much preferable in my opinion.

    • Azn310 on 21/08/2014 - 17:59

      Sounds like someone graduated with honour

    • OptimisticPessimist on 22/08/2014 - 20:36

      On my first year of Uni @ UWS Macarthur, I was somehow able to schedule 3 of my units (lectures and tutorials) into a single day.
      Got there at around 9am and left at 10pm. Travelled via public transport.
      Probably wouldn't do that again, though.

  • juventino on 19/08/2014 - 23:14
    +11

    Train since it is cheaper, even though it is slower, you can use it to do revision, browse ozbargain, checking out chicks on train. You don't have to keep an eye on the road. I don't have any statistics to back me up, but I reckon car accidents are more common than train accidents. The more you use your car mileage, the closer it is to be serviced, meaning more out of pocket expenses.

    I'll use the car for special occasion such as going to exams

    • pao2x on 21/08/2014 - 19:52
      +2

      If you keep a car you have already paid for most of the cost of it, depreciation rego insurance CTP. Might as well pay for the petrol and servicing to use it, you will be saving peanuts if you use it occassionally.

  • adn on 19/08/2014 - 23:24

    How long it takes you to find parking? That was the killer for me during my uni days. End up being late to lectures or can potentially miss an exam/quiz. So took the train when i had to and drove if suited

  • chill on 20/08/2014 - 04:27

    I think you're missing the more important aspect of the situation.

    On the train/bus you can network. I mean perv and make conversation with other members of the opposite sex (or same as is fashionable these days) who are in your course and or uni in general.

    So once you have sussed when the best days to do this are you drive the other days without paying for parking.

    Then once you have sussed which days/areas they check/issue parking fines also train on those days.

    All bases covered.

    • Windows7forever on 20/08/2014 - 19:18

      Why not perv and flirt with girls when you get on campus?
      I thought it would be much easier than randomly approaching strangers on a train. They usually have music/ipod in and don't want to be disturbed anyway.

  • Amores on 20/08/2014 - 07:24

    Scooter … free parking, cheap rego & insurance, minimum fuel costs

    • Malarkey on 21/08/2014 - 09:49
      +3

      Pros: Free parking, cheap rego & insurance, minimal fuel costs
      Cons: It's a scooter

  • Hoju on 20/08/2014 - 07:56

    Definitely train. I go to uws ctown too from North Sydney. Can fit all the study I need to do on the train trip there and back, get home and the time is mine. Plus it's cheaper, stress free, and in three years my train has been late twice suggesting it's more reliable. The only time I envy car drivers is like the last few days when I've gotten drenched on the walk to the station!

    • cwongtech on 20/08/2014 - 08:49

      Plus it's cheaper, stress free, and in three years my train has been late twice suggesting it's more reliable.

      I can't think of ANY reason why trains, with their own dedicated pathways, should EVER be late.
      If it had to be at one station for a little too long so commuters can get on, we're in Australia, our train lines are quite straight, surely speeding up the train slightly to make up for the lost time wouldn't be risky? (since most of it is computer controlled)
      Before anyone talks about derailment, I'm talking about straight stretches of train tracks.

      • Hoju on 20/08/2014 - 08:51
        +1

        On one occasion a passenger slipped when getting off and was stuck in the doorway. The other was a signal failure.

        • cwongtech on 20/08/2014 - 08:55
          +1

          Fair enough, well glad to hear Sydney Trains is more reliable these days.

          Sydney Buses - still ridiculously slow and not on time, partially due to bad designs of Sydney roads, but then there's the common "late" bus that ends up doubling up with the next bus right behind it.

        • Astro551 on 24/08/2014 - 01:42

          @cwongtech: or when the bus is fully delayed and already full of commuters when it gets to your stop. gotta love it.

  • backpaqer on 20/08/2014 - 08:51
    +7

    Bicycle.
    I ride 20km to/from city every day. Saves me train fare, saves me gym membership charges (tried gym…didn't lose weight…started riding…weight just vanished…fitness through the roof!), no such thing as peak hour/traffic jams, kick-starts the brain for the day, good wind-down in the evening, free parking, door to door, preferential bike facilities (at my work).

    Sure there are shitty drivers out there…but they are the exception to the rule.

    • No ONE on 21/08/2014 - 22:56

      As much as I love riding bicycle, I hate wearing a hat. Hat is the reason I don't ride bicycle.

      • dd721411 on 04/08/2015 - 11:51

        You mean a helmet, don't you?

        • No ONE on 05/08/2015 - 15:05

          Sorry my bad. Yes I meant helmet. :d

        • dd721411 on 05/08/2015 - 15:09

          @Oz Bargain 3: Ha ha, I understand. I ride my bike everyday to uni and/or shopping mall. Wearing a helmet makes me feel safe when traveling on roads. However, that ruins my hair style so I always wear a cap to hide my bad hair after parking my bike.

  • r2160 on 20/08/2014 - 08:52

    I currently live 32km from work. I commute to work 5 days a week, one way (I am 48 by the way) most weeks.
    I also ride the Hume Highway between Narellan and Prestons weekly. It has a very wide shoulder that is fine to ride on.
    Try public transport to Uni, and ride home.
    And think of the study/reading you can do on the train.

  • Geekomatic on 20/08/2014 - 11:29
    +4

    My son attends uni 4 days a week by bus/train. We are approx. 90 mins away. He said there's no way he'd ever want to drive that— he does so much of his studying on the train. He said the traffic/stress/costs would easily outweigh any plusses he could think of.

    Cheers

  • Mokr on 20/08/2014 - 12:28

    If you can find off street parking and don't mind a 5-10 min walk you could choose both. Maybe even put a bike in the boot.

  • ramshead on 20/08/2014 - 13:40

    '96 corolla hatch… the more k's you put on it, the more maintenance or repairs. Ouch.

  • gimli on 20/08/2014 - 19:51
    +1

    this may help

  • Moots on 20/08/2014 - 20:01
    +3

    I got to UWS, live 50km away round trip and proudly drive. The radio, aircon and heater as well as if it's raining is well worth it. The parking bit is the most difficult, but I would much prefer driving over P/T any day of the week.

  • MementoMori on 20/08/2014 - 22:15
    +3

    When calculating for car don't forget to add:

    Tyres
    Servicing
    Depreciation
    Insurance
    Rego

    All of these things cost more than the petrol!!

    • MementoMori on 21/08/2014 - 01:20

      If you lived in Victoria I would also add in fines.

      Down here you may as well will factor in one every six months.

      I agree with what others are saying though, riding a bicycle is really the way to go. I bought a like new giant off gumtree for half price.

      • Dunny on 21/08/2014 - 21:36

        Can you expand on this? I'm relocating to Melbourne with a car next week. I've been driving regularly in NSW for the last 6 years and have yet to receive any kind of traffic fine. Maybe I'm an exception as I try my best to avoid breaking road rules.

        My uncle lives in Melbourne and told me to watch out for being fined for driving too slowly on freeways (100km/h in a 110km/h zone) but I assumed at the time that he was talking out of his ass. Then I found news articles (of people driving 80-90km/h on freeways) being fined for driving too slowly.

        Anyway, would be really interested to know if there are other things like this to watch out for.
        By the way, I am familiar with hook turns. They look scary as hell, but I'm sure I'll get used to them.

    • Moots on 25/08/2014 - 13:37

      It's a good point, but a little Hyundai Excel 1999 model, Aircon power steering very economical, not the safest in an accident situation, but 3rd party insurance is $220 a year, rego is cheaper as well, and services you do yourself, as well as buy your tyres online, 14" ($50 each) lasts well over 20,000kms.

  • timli on 20/08/2014 - 22:56

    Just in case you didn't know, there are shuttle buses which go between Campus and Macarthur Square

    http://www.uwscampuslife.com.au/shuttle-bus.html

    In my opinion this would favour towards public transport. You really get good studying done, as opposed to dealing with horrible traffic. AND after a hard day's study, when those books feel extra heavy, you get a free lift to Macarthur/ Campbelltown station.. and get picked up at your station.

    Beats the struggle to find parking.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/08/2014 - 09:40
    -1

    I wouldn't add rego maintenance etc be a use I'd be using a car for other stuff so discount them 50% I reckon. How r u going to get naughty with a girl,pick her up etc if you only have the train?? Different situation if your a girl but still advantages such as less chance of getting assaulted if your using car.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/08/2014 - 15:07

    You must also consider if you purchase a cover that you have to pay for rego, insurance, any repairs to be done, maintaining the car etc

    In my opinion, do public transport and just study or bring a tablet and watch a tv series. You can cover at least study time or leisure time while being on the move which makes up for the extra 30-40 mins.

    Average tv series episode 30-50 mins.
    Average study time per day 0-3 hours.

  • Azn310 on 21/08/2014 - 17:58

    Another 3 cons of car:
    - chance of donation to RMS, via traffic penalty
    - chance of accident, even if someone hit you, you still have to go through all the pain of repairing that can take weeks
    - Sydney traffic is a joke, at least you get better time management with train delays than getting stuck in traffic leaving your faith to god. EDIT: you probably aware of this since your username is sausagedelay

    Another pro of car:
    - cruise down the coast whenever you want, have a vacation

  • [Deactivated] on 21/08/2014 - 19:08
    -2

    Seriously? If you as a university student can not decide for such a little issue, you will have bigger problems in the future.

    • Azn310 on 21/08/2014 - 19:17

      I think OP just wanted extra opinions to consider. Plus its fun to have a bunch of people taking their time thinking, analyzing, writing responses AND arguing over little issue :) still a better question to ask compared to those 'I'm locked in my room help me' questions :)

    • sausagedelay on 22/08/2014 - 00:30
      +1

      It's not that I can't decide but rather getting the opinions of others, especially when they bring up good points that I hadn't thought of. Once I've read everyone's insight I'll make the decision. Also I've got a bottle of water if you want to cool down

  • Aneurism on 21/08/2014 - 19:56
    +2

    Pros of driving:
    1. You will get extra driving practice and experience which could make a difference long term.
    2. If you live near some people you can have the freedom to offer them a lift home and more flexibility when it comes to hanging out and friendships. (After high school and uni, it can be a lot harder to make close friends).
    3. It gives you a place to a private place to make out. Especially if you have tinted windows.
    4. It gives you a place to get some shut eye if you are super tired and want a quick nap. (although tinted windows are required here because others will call campus security thinking you are dead).

    Cons of driving.
    1. You will end up designated driver when everyone gets drunk at whatever activity.
    2. Car parking fees are ridiculous.
    3. At some uni's it can be incredibly difficult to get a car park space at peak times.

    • Randxyz123 on 22/08/2014 - 18:00

      Lol Pro number 3 actually is a good point…

      What?? - Pro Number 4 has that actually happened to you (the security part?)

      OP if I were you I'd stick to the train. Another con of driving is that if you wanted to grab a quick beer after Uni with some mates you couldn't do this.

      Apart from the stupidly high parking fees, I like to grab the occasional beer with my mates after class hence I don't drive to uni.

      • Aneurism on 23/08/2014 - 20:50

        Point 4 has happened when I was a student in uni, it didn't happen to me directly though :)

  • Turd on 21/08/2014 - 20:08
    +1

    Ride a motorbike. Cheap petrol, Get to places quicker, Free parking.

  • interz21 on 21/08/2014 - 23:50

    Hey, I had to ask myself the same question, I had a car, and yea not worth it, more if you're stuck in peak hour + parking fees + finding parking + petrol
    If you think about it's time you waste, because all you can do is to drive
    I have a bike, and it is cheaper and quicker, however it's also time you waste.

    I recently started catching the bus instead of riding my bike, and my uni results improved, because if you're serious and motivated enough, or even if you're learning a language or whatever, then you can study on the bus, the time you waste is minimal and instead of wasting time riding or driving you can spend it in studies, that way by the time you get home you have less or nothing to do
    SO it depends on your priorities

  • cisco on 22/08/2014 - 02:55

    Pros for car:
    You can always offer your crush a lift/ride, you never know ;) I'm suggesting this based on my personal experience.

  • ethereal88 on 22/08/2014 - 06:54

    I've never had a car and never will. Its nothing but a hole in your pocket - petrol, maintenance, licence, insurance plus putting up with traffic. Pffft, take a train.

    • Randxyz123 on 22/08/2014 - 17:57
      +1

      Thats a silly attitude. Get your license. You don't have to drive but if there is an emergency and you are able to drive you could save someones life…

      • happychappy1 on 23/08/2014 - 17:41

        I think (s)he means vehicle licensing.

  • cobRAJ on 22/08/2014 - 07:34

    If you get into a carcrash, then a car becomes exponentially more expensive
    and it depends what you do with that hour and how rich you are lol

    • happychappy1 on 23/08/2014 - 17:42

      Just make sure it's not your fault (e.g., hitting someone from behind due to tailgating).

  • devank on 22/08/2014 - 12:53
    +3

    Public Transport for few reasons:
    1. You can do many thing, like study or listen to music, while you are travelling.
    2. Socialising: I think big part of uni life is socialising. You will get to meet & mingle with fellow uni students.
    3. Cost savings: Potentially you can save on petrol, maintenance, repairs, accidents, parking tickets, fines etc.
    4. Less stress. I always find it less stress to go by train than driving a car.
    5. Less pollution: At least you are not burning fuel.
    6. Health: At least you will be doing some walking/running

  • gunnny on 22/08/2014 - 15:57
    +1

    Pros of train: A good part of your daily exercise done if you DON'T get picked up/dropped off from/at the station. I know I will go for this. Very important to fit that in your daily schedule imho.

    What's the point of study/wealth/chicks with no health to enjoy them?

  • rgr on 22/08/2014 - 23:22

    The only problem with taking public transport is peak hour. Peak hour is horrible and there's nothing worse than getting cramped out, especially against people with severe B.O.

  • Astro551 on 24/08/2014 - 01:45

    Honestly can never study on public transport, but I do get to catch up on my sleep (good lucky trying that driving!…. apart from micro-sleeps).

    Also not sure how may days you're at uni. But MyMulti 1/2/3's give me unlimited travel in designated train lines and all buses. So there's flexibility there, whereas if some friends decide to go to the city after uni it's hardly fun to drive there.

    • Azn310 on 25/08/2014 - 12:38
      +1

      Interesting concept of micro-sleeps while driving there, can I have your license number so we can discuss that further? I'm sure we can make money by marketing your technique. ;)

  • love2buy on 26/08/2014 - 17:07

    I think the cheapest option is to stay in a campervan and drive home once a week or when ever you want. The whole uni's facility is at your doorstep everyday. Internet, library, gym. Etc. Don't waste time traveling and put it to good use. Good luck buddy.

  • shaybisc on 30/08/2014 - 17:27

    27km in 30 minutes: that's impressive for city driving.

  • bargaino on 31/08/2014 - 13:24

    How much for a room in a share house? Can still go home on weekends. Too far to commute.

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