An email from GA Commute Options invited me to check out how much my commute was costing. Commute Calculator | Save Your Commute | Georgia Commute Options so I went to the page, entered my information, and transit would cost me nearly $600 more per year than driving.

Looking at google maps, the estimate is that transit would take me over twice as long as riding, three times or more as long as the drive. And I feel that's probably optimistic for the bus route. Plus time waiting for the bus.

The mile or so walk at each end would be nice in good weather, but miserable some times.

So more expensive than driving, slow, and sometimes unpleasant. Something just seems out of whack about the whole implementation. I am a supporter of the concept - reducing polution and traffic congestion, giving people an alternative to auto ownership, and providing a way to get around to people who need it - yet I don't see someone having a choice choosing this option.

I realize that it costs more to have more stops, better coverage and express routes. But surely some US city, somewhere, has proven that people will take transit when it's cheaper and convenient? And with more bus riders it's not a money pit for the city?