I picked up a Dahon Espresso for my wife at a LL Bean outlet center for about $315, and she has been very pleased with it. Her commute and daily rides are typically 5 miles or less, but it works well for that. I added a rack, fenders, and a set of panniers that stay on the bike all the time, and it often carries 2 bags of groceries, laptop, etc. The fold is not that compact, but it works for putting the bike in the trunk of a car, and it would likely work for bus travel. I think the aluminum frame and components would hold up to winter commuting and the salt/sand mixture that covers the bike.

Doug