How Much Do You Spend on Public Transport?

lazybones1987 on 16/03/2018 - 19:02
Last edited 16/03/2018 - 19:03 by 1 other user

Hi,
I'm from Queensland and my partner and I catch the train to and from work daily. We calculated how much we spent on Public transport last year and it comes to a staggering ~$6K! That's $60K in 10 years! The train line we catch is pretty poor with trains consistently running late and overcrowded quite consistently.

Given that public transport prices are only going to increase every year, it would be cheaper for us to buy a new car (say, less than $25K) and drive to work everyday, assuming we keep the car for over 5 years. The government wants to reduce the number of cars on the roada, but how do they expect to do this with such ridiculous prices.

How much do you spend on public transport?

Travel Public Transport

Comments

    • abuch47 on 18/03/2018 - 10:45

      watch out for the inspectors, decent sized fines.

      • follow on 18/03/2018 - 11:01

        I've never had the inspectors with arrest powers yet, so I refuse to give them id then jump off and catch the next train. I'll still come out ahead tho if I'm get a fine. It's$100

        • Jolakot on 18/03/2018 - 11:38
          +2

          Why even bother using the card then, wouldn't it be cheaper to just full on fare evade?

        • follow on 18/03/2018 - 12:19
          +3

          @Jolakot: you need the card to get on buses and pass the checkpoints.

  • dlakers3peat on 17/03/2018 - 23:58

    0 because my work pays for it.

  • Limitless on 18/03/2018 - 01:07

    2.6k p.a…… Service is shit so im pretty pissed off!
    i even have to pay $2 a day to park at the station….

    • ilikeradiohead on 19/03/2018 - 15:02

      I take it you live in Perth then haha

      • Limitless on 19/03/2018 - 16:50

        hahah yep! it is ridiculous

        • pyro love bird on 20/03/2018 - 14:51

          I miss Perth prices for parking, VIC parking prices are ridiculous in the CBD!

          From memory, Perth Piblic transport, although less frequent was cheaper too?

        • Limitless on 22/03/2018 - 00:49

          @pyro love bird: nope it is ridiculous

  • Donaldhump on 18/03/2018 - 01:10

    don't fret, i use to spend 140 a week on the train. i ended up driving, and totally agree with your statement.
    the roads are packed, because the train is a rip off.
    mind you qld has cheap stamp duty, so its expensive in some ways, cheap in others.

  • realfancyman on 18/03/2018 - 03:31
    +1

    $580 for student fare every year. Adelaide Metro catching the bus to school everyday

    Edit: forgot about school holidays. Makes it $484

    • abuch47 on 18/03/2018 - 10:39

      for a non student will be about $1200 a year with a 28day passes

      • realfancyman on 18/03/2018 - 10:48

        Yeah crazy. I used to use the 28 day passes but don't anymore because I never use public transport on the weekend and if you miss just a couple days of the 28 day pass it makes it not worth it.

        Adelaide metro can be good value for people travelling long distance like Seaford to the City but for me I'm just using it for a 15 minute bus ride so clearly I need to move to Seaford for maximum value ;)

  • misu p on 18/03/2018 - 08:23

    $10 per day, $50 per week, $2500 per year. Life… imagine how much I would save if I would not check this site as often as I do…

  • [Deactivated] on 18/03/2018 - 09:29
    -4

    Only suckers buy tickets

  • pitiek on 18/03/2018 - 09:57
    +2

    Which suburb do you live and work OP?

    I have been living in Brisbane for 10 years in 4 different suburbs before we bought our house.
    I can't remember when our public transport bill was ever that high.

    • lazybones1987 on 19/03/2018 - 08:48

      Brisbane North, Zone 3. I pay $6.05 per person each way.

      • pitiek on 19/03/2018 - 19:41

        So can I safely assume North Lakes or surrounding area?
        The drive from Moreton Bay area to the CBD and back is one of the worst commute… Be prepared for around 1 hour 15 minutes each way during peak hour this is not factoring the accidents on M1 most days.
        Gympie Rd is not that great either.
        I used to rely on the Caboolture line when I was working in the city then switched to ride my push bike 4-5 days a week since it takes less time door to door vs train or drive.
        In your case it's a bit difficult as North Lakes area is quite far.
        There are some improvements planned for the Redcliffe line with additional drivers and services so I would suggest you to wait or just drive your current car if both of you have similar start and finish time.

        • lazybones1987 on 20/03/2018 - 09:08

          Yeah that's correct. I have a number of colleagues who live in the suburb and it takes them about 45 mins on a good day. Work is just outside the CBD, but it is still part of Zone 1.

        • NigelTufnel on 20/03/2018 - 16:20

          @lazybones1987: How much were you paying on the previous zone structure. North Lakes used to be zone 7 or something which was like >$7/trip.
          Not justifying the cost, but did you not take this into account when deciding to live out there and working in the city? No matter what you do that will be a terrible and pricey commute…

        • lazybones1987 on 20/03/2018 - 19:31

          @NigelTufnel: I used to live 5 mins from work before. And yes, we did consider the cost of PT after moving here, but it still hurts to think about it.

  • skywards on 18/03/2018 - 10:26
    +2

    I’m in Brisbane so travelling 2 zones each way costs me $3.97. After 8 trips on public transport from Monday then the 9th and 10th trip is half price. Travelling on Saturday and Sunday is $1.59 each way for 2 zones.

    I used to drive to the train station when I had a car but petrol costs me $10 a week but that saved me half an hour each way.

  • Plug on 18/03/2018 - 10:57
    +2

    On Adelaide Metro the maximum you need to pay to get a year's unlimited travel is $1618.50 (assuming the fares don't rise). This covers you for every train, tram or bus. Not too bad.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 18/03/2018 - 11:20

    $5-10 per month

  • [Deactivated] on 18/03/2018 - 11:55

    car has rego and servicing, +1k each year ez

  • harrywwc on 18/03/2018 - 12:18
    +1

    I bailed on Public Transport years ago, after several late-night cancellations (10pm train cancelled, next one 11pm) in the middle of winter. Last bus connected with the 10pm train.

    Consulting my spreadsheet, my 2011 Corolla is costing me all up*, about $12 a day, and I am driving over 25,000km pa. Crunch the numbers, and just for "work" travel, I get around $2890 pa.

    The only thing not factored in is any cost for a loan (bought it outright) - so you would need to add that into your own calculations.

    This doesn't take into account the cost of my time - drive is approx 1 hour each way, Public Transport in easily double that (bus, train, another train (soon to be a bus), walk). I also always get a seat, and I listen to whatever I like on the radio/usb-player, and I have the privilege of spending time with one of my sons each morning and afternoon (he works at a place 1/2 between home and my work). So we're saving some on his public transport costs too.

    There are many people on the freeway running smaller cars - Echo, Yaris, Colt, Barina, Swift, etc. who would be spending less than above.

    • "all up" = fuel, 2.5x services a year (at 10000km intervals), rego, green slip, comprehensive ins., tyres, and that's about "it".

    .h

    • tyvod on 18/03/2018 - 16:08
      +1

      how much are you paying for comprehensive insurance for your corolla?

    • movieman on 18/03/2018 - 16:16

      Sounds quite reasonable.

      We are looking at getting a Corolla.

      What is the average cost for each 10,000km service?

    • harrywwc on 19/03/2018 - 13:09

      Insurance (comprehensive) is about $500 pa - full (and protected) NCB - and well over 25 ;)

      Average service - it varies with each, but most are under $400 - some are a bit over, the "big" ones - lots of stuff replaced.

      I use KTAS, and they also include 6months roadside assist with each log-book service. Not that the car has ever needed it. They're a bit cheaper than 'genuine' Toyota, easier to get to (for me) and they also communicate better about what is happening with the car, and what things are coming up and may need attention.

      I may need to replace the battery next service, it's only about 7 years old. They just don't make stuff like they used to ;)

      .h

  • Levathian on 18/03/2018 - 12:23

    Probably $500-600 a year as a student

  • kylarstern on 18/03/2018 - 14:27

    Yea thats an insane annual expense for 2 people! Holy smokes where do you guys live? Like on Stradbroke Island or something?
    For me, I catch the bus once a week to a different work site from my home to the city (I drive to the normal worksite on other days )and it costs like $3 one way. So if I actually do full time public transport and take no holidays for the year thats just over $1500 per year. If I factor in my wife, thats $3000 a year. And we do live a far way from the city, like over 40km away. I am in Brisbane too FYI. I've never known anyone who catches public transport to work to have that much in fare expenses.
    Assuming you guys dont own a car (I am going by your statement which seems like you dont), I'd just buy a car assuming the route to your work isn't one of those congestion hotspots.

    • lazybones1987 on 19/03/2018 - 08:41

      Stradbroke, haha, then I would not be travelling to work. I live in Zone 3 in Brisbane North and pay $6.05 per person each way. I do own a car, but I'm comparing the cost of PT with the cost of a new car as justification for a purchasing a new car

      • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 18:05

        You'd need to include all the running costs/ parking etc. And if you have a car already, then the new one is a straight-up cost. If you're going to the CBD I'd say just the parking will be at least half what you're spending. It's basically a bit more than the cost for one person to take the train. Then you add maintenance/fuel to that and you'll be approaching the cost for 2 people to take the train, or more. So the car itself and any depreciation is just outright an additional cost to the whole thing. Plus then, you need to actually drive, probably in peak hour, which is never pleasant. Plus also, the car purchase is money or interest you pay now, rather than over 5 years, and money now is worth more than money later.

  • donotuse on 18/03/2018 - 15:53

    Sydney $1716 per year but I live close to work in CBD. That’s why my home is more expensive than the average, but I bought it 5 years ago before the boom so it’s all good.

  • donotuse on 18/03/2018 - 15:54
    +1

    Wow! $6,000 is my discretionary annual travel budget. The amount you spend a year would have taken me to a 3-week holiday in Italy.

    • lazybones1987 on 19/03/2018 - 08:42

      A Mercedes C250 or a deposit for a small unit/house at the end of 10 years

      • donotuse on 19/03/2018 - 19:04

        But I already have.

  • ozbargain-sucks on 18/03/2018 - 17:58

    Not much as I always seem to "forget" to touch on, how silly of me.

    • idonotknowwhy on 19/03/2018 - 01:08

      So a few hundred a year in fines? Not bad lol

  • ribze1 on 18/03/2018 - 18:04

    $41.12/week to stand on two packed like sardines trains twice a day in Sydney. One with no air con (yep it's 2018).

  • Anth0ny on 18/03/2018 - 18:05

    $2150 per year in sydney. (assuming I work 5 days a week)

  • Gina Rinehart on 18/03/2018 - 21:20

    About $1200 on Canberra buses (~$3 each way)

    Would be approx. $2200 if I drove and parked ($10-11/day parking), plus running costs. Travel time is 30 mins door to door with the bus, or 20 mins with the car (depending on traffic).

    I do drive probably 20 days a year at most.

    • Procyon on 18/03/2018 - 22:41

      Do you live along a rapid route? Bus travel for me would mean adding 60 minutes to a standard 30 minute car commute…

      • Gina Rinehart on 19/03/2018 - 09:54

        Yes, about 7 minutes from a blue rapid. I'll admit, having lived in kambah and Gordon before this, the rapid is much better. Kambah was about 45 mins usually having to change at woden. Gordon was like 50 mins but I had to get the express bus which was pretty rigid with timing.

        What suburb are you in that takes 90 minutes on the bus? Or do you mean 60?

  • ozzpete on 18/03/2018 - 21:59

    I spend like $20 year on public transport. Occasional trip to city on train. Its a novelty thing for me now that I have cars. And its good if I want to go right into city (due to parking costs) . I usually drive half way, train the half way though, unless I really feel like a train ride.
    Instead of train-spotting, I like passenger-spotting… it can be interesting the mix of people on trains . Often get to talkin to random passengers along the journey, which certainly makes the trip go faster.
    I've upgraded somewhat now, but the best car I ever had for costs, was a 1994 Toyota Camry. The pre-94 Toyotas, were built to such a high quality, they just seem to keep going and going, even without paying for any maintainence. I didnt even change the oil, or anything at all tbh, and the car just kept going like a dream, even with me pushing it reply hard(thrashing it with pedal to floor up very steep hills towing my boat) . That Toyota cost me $130 on last day of rego, a few uses tyres from wreckers, and 1 side mirror, and was good for rego.
    After 1994, the Toyota's were not as good quality (due to quality control issues, when they expanded manufacturing operations) .
    When I moved on to other more expensive (and less durable) cars, I was rather upset every time I would get a repair bill, and would think to myself, I wish I stuck with the old Toyota's. I also had 2 Toyota Celica of the same vintage. Same engine as The Camry, but lighter car, so drives much sportier plus lower on fuel.

  • T1OOO on 18/03/2018 - 22:04

    About $1k on the 28day $99 pass

  • YungDaggerDick on 18/03/2018 - 22:48

    I'd say about $100-$150 a year as a student who doesn't catch it every day both ways (too and from school).

  • omghi on 18/03/2018 - 22:49

    We did this comparison when we lived in Perth.

    It was pretty easy because we already had the car and knew what our expenses were for it. For one of us, public transport cost about the same per day as owning the car and not driving it (insurance, rego and servicing only) as soon as we factored in petrol and parking the car far exceeded it, never mind including the purchase price/depreciation.

    Perth public transport is very cheap (especially if you live close to where you work) relative to Brisbane so probably not an exact comparison. We also worked at opposite ends of the city and lived in the middle so carpooling wasn’t a viable option for us.

  • idonotknowwhy on 19/03/2018 - 01:05

    $15ish per day as I uber to/from work every day (I'm a fat (profanity)) at the minimum fare each day.

    Edit myki / train would be $8ish per day and a 5 minute walk to the station, and the 20 minute walk each way would be free, but again, fat (profanity).

  • Amaurys on 19/03/2018 - 09:09
    -1

    Why pay when you can fare evade?

  • sardines on 19/03/2018 - 09:10

    I spend about $40 a week and lots of walking but it stinks - after they got rid of the free Friday and shit storm of the new timetable the transport minister comes out and states that most trains during peak hour are 110-140% above capacity…nothing discussed how to fix the transport system with the huge increase of population each year. This was an issue 10 years ago when busses would pass stops if you left after 7.15 am. there isn't really any off peak times either — we need to heavily invest in our trains to have a viable solution so people get off the roads that can catch trains - I have many people at work that drive and pay a bit more but get stressed in traffic to avoid standing up squashed into train carriage for an hour

  • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2018 - 11:15

    I think it just on peak is extra ~50 cent per trip which really adds up. Around extra 5 dollars per week if you travel 5 return trip each week. This is base off Bus in brisbane. Not sure how this applies to different state but yeah.

  • geoffs87 on 19/03/2018 - 13:34

    Sydney.
    Live: Lower North Shore
    Work: Darling Harbour

    Trip:
    10mins Bus (or 20mins walk) ,then, 10mins Train

    Cost:
    $3.42 each way = $6.84 per person per day

    So, if we were to do 5 days a week between my wife and I, it would cost about $3000 a year between two (given discounts on 5th day and sometimes working from home etc), however we drive to work at least twice a week, given its almost as cheap to earlybird park plus toll plus petrol, than the two of us on the train.

  • Frankenbeanie on 19/03/2018 - 14:51

    39.52 per week in nsw

  • rave75 on 19/03/2018 - 16:01

    Yes, back when I didn't have a car and working full time while studying, I did spend $60 a week (opal used to charge you that much maximum a week), works out to $3120 a year. Having a motorbike would be cheaper but the risk of accident is much greater. Depending which car you have, but with $25k car, I suppose the rego, insurance, maintenance and fuel will still ended up be more expensive than $6k a year.

    For example: assuming it is $25k brand new car, in 3 years, normally car loses 50% of its value. That's 12k in 3 years, $4k a year. Rego, comprehensive insurance and services would be north of $2k. That's already $6k a year. Plus some incidentals such as tyres, fines, etc.

    • lazybones1987 on 19/03/2018 - 17:49
      +1

      I'm not sure why you would include the depreciation of the asset into the running cost of the car. If I purchase a brand new car (say $20K), I would look at just the running costs of the car plus the purchase price of the car.
      For example: Purchase price=$20K
      Running cost of car (insurance, fuel, parking, etc) = $3K per year

      Cost of PT at the end of 10 years =$60K
      Cost of Car + Running costs of car at the end of 10 years = $20K +$30K = $50K

      Any $$$ you earn by selling the car at the end of 10 years is a bonus

      Of course, I have done a finger in the air with the running costs of the car.

      • TimboAus1234 on 19/03/2018 - 20:13

        Also, you can use the car on the weekend.

      • rave75 on 20/03/2018 - 10:38

        I use depreciation because the time horizon was at 3 years so it's like at the end of 3rd year, you sell the car. Same with 5 years and so on, because the car will have a "salvage" value. Of course in 10 years the salvage value will be quite little, plus these days car are not as reliable as before. Back in the 90s, my parents had diesel 7 series and it did 700,000 km before it died.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 18:17

        Even excluding depreciation the value of $3K / year is probably going to be parking alone if you're near the Brisbane CBD. Much less fuel + insurance and rego which are likely to be at least another $4-5k combined for the described distance.

        Then you'll eventually need more tyres, some maintenance etc which will probably add another few thousand over the period.

        It's not much more to drive if you've got two occupants and you're not in the absolute center of the CBD. But for a single occupant of the car, it would be at least twice as much. It tends to be much less pleasant to drive through, especially if you're required to do it in peak.

        So you're likely looking at $7-8k / year plus whatever you lose on the car's resale value at the end. Plus what you lose by paying the price for the car up front vs investing that money (or not taking a loan) - eg. Offsetting a mortgage at 4% is $1k / year for a $25,000 lump sum.

        Things that make it attractive to drive:
        Cheap parking?
        A company supplied car?
        Able to car pool?
        Really really poor public transport that requires you to change vehicles and wait at least once, or worse, twice?

  • aong152 on 19/03/2018 - 18:26

    Train + bus in Sydney, 55-80 minute commute. $50 a week = $2600 a year

    I started riding a bicycle 2-3 days a week , it's a 17km bike commute, takes 50-55 minutes plus 10 minute shower.

    Bike was a cheapie ($200 plus $800 in slow purchases over time - lights, locks, cycling jerseys, pumps, tires, fork when I crashed it, drop bars, pedals, helmets, gloves, goggles, brake cutters, saddle, brakes) and has paid itself off after a year.

    I have a spreadsheet which I update on $$ saved - my public transport bill is around half now.

    This is coming from having a car which cost $3k a year just to own it (2 services, $1k first party $600 third party $300 rego $1k for parking otherwise I wouldn't drive it to work and hence wouldn't need a car at all)

  • jjjjjj on 19/03/2018 - 19:11

    Same from SEQ. Traveling to/from zone 4¿ cost$8/way. $16/day return. Still have to own a car for the weekend leisure time. If I go to work every work day for a year, id spent nearly $4 on PT (mustake no mistakes when touch on/off the ticket machine! Otherwise it costs $10 additional one way. Or have to call in to explain why you accidentally didn't touch the machine correctly. They may not may not refund you. I definitely will waste minimum 15mins)…..

  • bad hombre on 19/03/2018 - 19:47

    I'm in Brisbane and I think 1 zone fares are $3.25 one way in peak. I normally ride or walk or a combination. I think having a car may make sense but there is depreciation, servicing, tyres, brakes, fuel and parking costs associated with driving and also time, whereas on a bus or train you could be doing something else.

    Another option is move closer to town but I think the costs of doing that outweigh the benefits. Brisbane used to offer monthly, quarterly, six monthly and yearly passes but I think with the introduction of electronic ticketing those days are long gone.

    No easy answer here I'm afraid.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 17:55

      From where I've been sitting public transport has been getting cheaper and cheaper. First Translink came in and drastically cut the prices private companies were charging, then off-peak has been getting heavier and heavier discounts. And being closer to the city these days means that the 8:30am cut off for off-peak is quite doable to still make it to work at a reasonable hour.

      And yeah, since I stopped driving regularly there's SOOO much less stress. Even when driving just to the station it was annoying. Now I get a nice walk to the station which is ~ 1km anyway, don't be lazy :o Then plenty of time to chill and de-stress rather than battling traffic and looking for parking. What's more, on a bad traffic day the train is actually much faster.

      Close is fine if you're willing to live somewhere more modest. I think it's very much worth it until you have a family and need more space. Then still, probably worth it, but the costs can be harder to deal with.

  • TimboAus1234 on 19/03/2018 - 20:09

    About 400 a year on transport i ride most days but only catch it for rainy days or when i just cant be arse.

    Definatley agree with getting a push bike even those ebikes are great i use a fixie ,ride about 10kms each way its great for the low maintenance cost.

  • hawktalk on 19/03/2018 - 22:22

    Roughly $80 per month.

  • cycleops on 19/03/2018 - 23:04

    For reference the OP's prices seem to indicate about $6 for a 25km-35km trip.

    I'm another transport bicycle rider btw. Best decision I ever made 8 years ago to sell the car.

  • pyro love bird on 20/03/2018 - 14:50

    I spend about $50 a week on the train, which is about $2.6k a year

  • dundy on 20/03/2018 - 15:46

    $23.10 a week, train to work in the morning then.. train home but I forget to tap on

  • Brianqpr on 20/03/2018 - 16:38
    +1

    About $1,500 as I work two days a week from home.

    Sydney trains are absolutely TERRIBLE at the moment, worst they have been in the nearly 20 years I've lived here. They changed the timetables late last year and what was formerly a not brilliant but acceptable service (seats available, reasonable train condition, mostly on time etc) is now on overcrowded farce.

    It genuinely feels like you are in a third world transport system at the moment. Trains are way more crowded than before the timetable changes and often late. Old non aircon trains that were supposed to have been retired years ago are back in use, fantastic in summer. I believe the state govt target was to have 100% air conditioned trains by 2012. Forget rebuilding perfectly adequate sporting stadiums and fix this embarrassing mess.

    I've commuted for a long time and this is as bad as its been.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 17:47

    I catch a train to work in the mornings then walk home the 7-8km in the evenings for something to do.

    This means it's about $600 per YEAR in train fares (assuming about 47 weeks of 52 are in the office). Up to double that if I were lazy and took the train both ways.

    Comparatively, to keep my car idle in the garage just to be used for shopping etc costs more already.

    Per Year:

    $700 Rego
    $300 Insurance
    ~$150 Petrol (yeah, < 2,000 km a year)

    Would be much more for wear and tear if it were used / I bothered to get it serviced / it was newer and still depreciating rapidly.

    Even at $6k per year, OP is likely still better off with public transport. That said if parking is free and you're effectively carpooling then maybe it will be close.

    Don't forget to calculate extra depreciation / wear / maintenance / fuel costs / parking when comparing with the car.

    Just parking in my building in the CBD is $28/day on the early-bird, pre-booked, and a whopping $80+ if you just show up.

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