Americans spend a significant portion of their income on transportation and purchasing or maintaining cars. According to recent research, the least amount spent on cars in 2020 was $1797, and the highest was $9804. The rising cost of purchasing and keeping a vehicle is an unaffordable luxury for many households. More Americans are seeking alternatives to owning a car, options that are cost-effective and all but guaranteed to help save more money. This article describes some cost-effective alternatives to owning a car that you should consider.
Map Your Routes And Transportation Needs
The first step to choosing a suitable personal car alternative is knowing your daily route, transportation expenses, and financial situation. Once you have that information, sit and carefully compare the various means of transportation along your way. Remember that you are seeking cost-effective alternatives; you should also base your choice on factors that will help you reduce your monthly transportation expenses.
Walking
Walking is the most natural means of transportation by humans. It is also a cost-effective and healthy option for people looking to reduce their annual auto and transportation expenses. Walking can reduce the miles that you cover in public transportation. For example, you could walk one-third of a distance before taking public transit. You could also go the entire distance on foot. Walking is more accessible when the weather is cool. You could save a significant amount by taking more walks than using vehicles.
Public Transportation
Regularly using public transportation could improve your finances within a short time. Taking a public bus, train, tram, or other means is cost-effective. In many cities, public buses are free or relatively cheap. The subway system is also affordable in most cities. You could take advantage of these public transportation systems, especially if you have a daily travel routine. Buying a monthly pass for public transportation could further reduce your expenses as you may qualify for a discount. Students, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans all get a discount on public transportation.
Bicycles And Tricycles
Cycles are great alternatives to owning a car. The best part is that people of all ages can use cycles—the common. Bicycles and tricycles are popular with kids, but younger people prefer bikes. However, adults are always wary of potential falls from bicycles and may be unwilling to take the risk. A common misconception is that tricycles are meant for kids; the truth couldn’t be farther. There are adult tricycles designed to provide more safety than bicycles. Adult tricycles, or trikes as they are dubbed, are safe, cost-effective, and healthy alternatives to cars. You can learn all you need to know about tricycles to determine the best trike for you.
Carsharing/Car Rental Services
Carsharing or car rental is not just cheaper than owning a car, but it helps our environment by reducing the number of vehicles on the road. You could rent a car for a few hours at a lower price than purchasing or keeping one. There are many carsharing services around; carefully choose the one that provides the best option for you. Whether you live in an area or are visiting, carsharing could lower your transportation expenses while not limiting your movement.
Electric Scooters
Electric scooters are now widespread in some cities. According to a report by Statista, the scooter e-sharing industry is growing, and predictions show that more adults will adopt them. For as little as $1-a-day, you can take electric scooters practically anywhere within a reasonable distance. The best part is that you don’t have to spend extra on recharging, parking, or storage; you can simply leave the scooter on the curb when you are done and pick another when you are ready to go.
Ridesharing Platforms
Ridesharing platforms gained attention over a decade ago, and since then, they have helped millions to save costs. Ridesharing restructured the taxi system to provide personalized transportation for clients and a means for private car owners to make some money. While ridesharing might cost more than taxis, you can count on the privacy and comfort for the extra charge. Still, ridesharing can reduce your auto expenses as you only have to pay per trip. If you own a car, you might be charged parking fees or spend on maintenance and repairs. But with ridesharing, you avoid parking those bills altogether.
Taxis
Taxis remain one of the most popular transportation systems. You’d find taxis in nearly every city globally, whether water or land taxis. Taxis are also relatively cheaper than ridesharing or carsharing. You could combine two or more alternatives to owning a car by carefully planning your route. For example, you could walk to your train or local bus station and then take an electric scooter from the exit point to your final destination. You could also ride your tricycle to get groceries instead of taking a taxi or riding a car.
