Can You Get Around The G.T.A. Without A Car?
Posted July 6, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Add to that the perception that Toronto politicians are doing everything in their considerable power to get you out of it, and you can’t be blamed for toying with the idea of dumping your vehicle entirely.
But can you?
Despite all the environmental advice and all the added bylaws designed to make it harder than ever to get into the core, the truth is most of us simply can’t afford to give up our wheels despite the increasing costs.
“You can’t give up the car,” complains Olenia Charizanis. “If you live outside the city, the service just isn’t there.”
Judy Hopkins agrees. “I would love to give up my car,” she admits. “But practically speaking…it’s just too time consuming and inconvenient.”
Why is the Better Way no way for so many? The answer is the same as the title of an old Bing Crosby movie classic: Going My Way. Seems not enough of them are.
Bike lanes may not be the answer, either. There’s a lot of them in the city and more are coming, but too many of them simply end abruptly, leaving the rider at the mercy of all those cars.
“I see the bicycle lanes as more of a leisure and a recreational route for me as opposed to a transportation route,” admits cyclist Sandra Nikou.
A lot needs to happen before that perception is changed for good.
“We need to tell the government that our priorities are investing in transit and that we want more subway lanes, we want more carpool lanes, we want more cycling lanes and more facilities so that we have those options,” insists Ryan Lanyon of Smart Commute.
Maybe the best solution is to drive – but not by yourself.
Carpools not only reduce pollution and save you money on gas, but they also allow you to use those special high occupancy vehicle lanes on the highway. And more of them are coming, as that program expands.
Here are some other carpool tips and links.
Public Transit
Taking the T.T.C. has become more affordable after the commission began selling transferable Metro and weekly passes. You can share the card with your family and friends when you’re not using it. And you can now get a federal tax credit by saving your passes when they expire.
Walking
Some environmentalists claim one in five cars travel less than a kilometre – a distance the average person can walk in less than 10 minutes. Using your two feet is not only better for your health, you may get to know your neighbours, which in turn, increases neighbourhood safety.
Cycling
Cycling is great exercise and can often get you around the city quicker than if you were in a car. And the city has given you even more reason to hop on your bike – it’s recently approved the expansion of its bicycle network by 1,000 kilometres over the next 10 years.
Scooters have also become quite popular in Toronto. While they still consume gas, they spew out far less emissions than a car.
Telecommuting
It’s something we’d all love to do, but talk to your employer and find out if working from home is an option.
Car & Van Pooling
Rotating rides with coworkers and neighbours not only reduces emissions, it saves money and reduces the wear and tear on your vehicle. Companies can also use their vans to pick up employees and drive them to work.
Some sites to check out include:
Setting up your own carpool with coworkers or neighbours is probably the best way to go.
Here are some tips on getting your own group started (courtesy of the City of Toronto):
Schedule a meeting: Get together to introduce yourselves and plan your carpool.
Discuss everyone’s preferences: The little things can mean a lot, so don’t overlook choice of radio station, leg room, smoking policy, starting time on bad weather days, etc.
The golden rule: Agree that your carpool serves one purpose only: commuting to and from work. Do not expect your partners to make side trips for shopping or errands.
Agree on cost sharing: Determine how much money will change hands, whether it’s a per kilometre charge or just sharing gas and parking costs. Agree when this is to be collected and stick to it.
Create a back-up plan: Make sure everyone has exchanged work and home phone numbers, and agree on what happens in the event of illness or delay.
Common sense stuff: Be prompt and don’t honk. If the driver is on time and passengers are ready and waiting, there’s no need for the horn. Set a waiting time limit and everyone will get to work on time.
The driver’s seat: You may want to arrange a permanent driver, or share the driving duties. Both ways, you save.
Insurance coverage: Check with your insurance agent to make sure you have the proper coverage – most of us do. If you’re no longer driving your car to work, check to see if your insurance agent offers a discount.
Vehicle maintenance: A well-maintained car is safe, reliable and comfortable. It’s also better for the environment.
