Commute - driving me Mad!

Fluffsticle

Hi Folks,

I am currently commuting from Roscrea to Newbridge for work every day(Mon - Fri).
The 110 mile round trip is taking its toll..!

I am using a full tank of Diesel (62Litres) a week (just for work)... not to mention the 2200 miles I'm clocking up on the car every month leading to more expense with servicing, tyres etc!!!

Anyway I'm not earning a large enough wage to justify this high expense for getting to work, I guess.

At the moment I'm getting the train from Ballybrophy to NB, just to see how it goes. It's great. But on the return I have a 15-20 min wait in Kildare (Which is another topic altogether!). So I leave home every morning at 6:15 and get home every evening at 7:10.

I guess this is my plug at wondering if anyone travels that road (or part of) every day, and is as annoyed as I am of the long trek and expense that goes with it...??!

Thanks for listening ...

positron

Would you consider motorbikes? It would only cost you a fraction to do the same trip on a 125 cc motorbike, and probably a lot more fun too.

Fluffsticle

That's a good idea in theory.. thanks. Hadn't thought about it!:rolleyes:
But I have never riden a motorbike before!! And it's not something I ever considered doing!

I have considered living nearer work, but have tried that.

I have advertised on Car Pool etc too... But nothing!! I'm harly the only one doing this route every day!!!
Am I?

Cuddlesworth

positron wrote: »

Would you consider motorbikes? It would only cost you a fraction to do the same trip on a 125 cc motorbike, and probably a lot more fun too.

Would be horrible on a 125. They aren't set up for that type of commute. And it wouldn't save money either. Lower servicing intervals, higher maintenance all round and similar mpg on petrol. You would be looking at a 1000cc or above cruiser for that mileage. And they don't come cheap.

positron

To answer the above - depending on the bike, you would get 70-90 mpg out of bikes with smaller engines like 125cc. Most bike maintenance can be done by owner - especially the minor ones like oil changes etc. It's probably not much fun to do 40 mins on open roads on a 125 - but assuming they are not busy roads, you can cruise along at the legal limit even witha 125cc bike.

BostonB

Any possibility of working from home even a couple of days a week? or stay over a couple of nights?

How about bangeromics. Where you buy an old car worth nothing, and just drive it till it stops, then buy another one.

angel01

I currently have longish commute too.. Up at 5.40am to leave house at 6.25pm and I usually don't get home till 6.30pm (at the earliest)

I am on public transport, get 1 bus into Dublin city centre, another bus (for about 10 mins) and then luas.. it is very wearing but I can't afford to jack the job in.. by the time I get home, I feel tired and feel as if I achieve nothing in the evenings anymore and end up going to bed earlyish :(

BostonB

Could you cycle any of it?

angel01

BostonB wrote: »

Could you cycle any of it?

No, too far away, (one bus is taking over 40 mins) so too far.. and I get off the luas at Sandyford so too far out..

listermint

angel01 wrote: »

No, too far away, (one bus is taking over 40 mins) so too far.. and I get off the luas at Sandyford so too far out..

how far is too far?

Bus time is not a good guide to distance

Janeboylan

I don't think this will help but have you considered asking your work place to pay towards some of the expense of getting to and back from work.
I get the Dublin bus and luas paid for by my work also my boyfriend is a carpenter and asked for a pay rise as he was paying so much money towards diesel from going to job to job and got it .

Also the engine size of your car might be eating up all the diesel, you might get more miles out of the amount of diesel you put in, in a smaller engine.

I know commuting is horrible I travel from wicklow to Dublin city everyday and I've had to find 4 different ways to get to work due to public buses or bus stops being canceled or no parking and the fact that it just takes too long to get home. I leave my house at 6.45 and don't get home till 7.30 in the evening.

I just grin and bare it, as there isn't much I can do .

Some of the private buses are good and are more direct, I can't get the one in wicklow as I'll be late for work but Kildare might have a good service and other towns that might go through kildare.

BrianD3

You seem to be averaging only 40 mpg, I'd expect to get significantly more than that on a long trip from a diesel. A reasonably modern, small (1.4-1.6 litre) diesel driven well at no more than 100 km/h should average around 60 mpg.

Janeboylan

And there is no way I would get a motorbike if i was you , they are so dangerous especially with other drivers not checking their blind spot and winter months you go off them so easily on the icey patches

positron

Fluffsticle wrote: »

I have considered living nearer work, but have tried that.

I think living nearer to work, if possible, is definitly the best solution. May be give it another go?

seamus

Janeboylan wrote: »

And there is no way I would get a motorbike if i was you , they are so dangerous especially with other drivers not checking their blind spot and winter months you go off them so easily on the icey patches

It's not that dangerous

110 mile round trip on a motorbike will take its toll too though. It can be stressful in high winds and strong rain.

Moving closer to work really is the best option IMO. If you move to (say) 15 miles of your workplace, then you will only use the same amount of fuel in a month that you currently do in a week.

This frees up roughly €270 a month which can be switched to rent, at least fully or partially. I'm willing to bet you could get a much larger and nicer place close to work if you upped your rent payment even by €150. Your net saving there would still be in the region of €120 per month.

Plus you'd have more time to stay in bed and chill out at home in the evenings. Is there any particular barrier against moving closer to work? I know that you may be further from family & friends, but if you're 15 miles from work, you're still only 40 miles from Roscrea, which is about 40 minutes travel once or twice a week.

BostonB

angel01 wrote: »

No, too far away, (one bus is taking over 40 mins) so too far.. and I get off the luas at Sandyford so too far out..

My bus (or train) takes 50~90 mins. I can get there by bicycle in 45~60 mins. By car isn't any quicker. I'm pretty slow on a bike too. Food for thought.

markpb

Fluffsticle wrote: »

I have considered living nearer work, but have tried that.

What happened when you tried that? It's worth re-considering, a 110 mile round trip is crazy.

angel01 wrote: »

No, too far away, (one bus is taking over 40 mins) so too far.. and I get off the luas at Sandyford so too far out..

I'm in a similar situation to you - I take 1/2 buses to get from the northside to St. Stephens Green and then a Luas to Sandyford. That normally takes 1h25-1h35. If I cycle from home to SSG and take the Luas from there, it knocks 30 minutes off my commute and isn't a particularly tough cycle so maybe it's worth considering?

BostonB

Even if you cycled it twice a week, it might lessen the load.

Rawr

BostonB wrote: »

My bus (or train) takes 50~90 mins. I can get there by bicycle in 45~60 mins. By car isn't any quicker. I'm pretty slow on a bike too. Food for thought.

I'd like to echo you there Boston.
I once had a Train + Bus journey to work that took ~90 mins.
One day, I switched to my bike and managed it in an hour.

It also feels great to know that the only factor effecting your arrival time is your cycling speed. (Also, no bus/train to miss. Feels good not needing to rush out the door after work.)

Iwannahurl

I won't speculate about your relocation / public transport options, OP.

I did wonder about car pooling though, in case you can't move closer to work and the central problem is your motoring expenses.

Here's a car-pooling website I found by chance: http://www.swiftcommute.ie

Could you advertise for car-pooling partners in the local press?




.

mikemac

Since you're in Roscrea do JJ Kavanaghs have any options?
They're big around Tipp, Kildare and Kilkenny

Fluffsticle

Hi Folks..

Thanks for all the replies.

1. I have lived in so many towns and countries over the past number of years, that I have just gotten tired of it. I tried moving back to my hometown almost 2 years, and I am happier than I ever could have imagined.
Yes I could try moving away again, but I am not one to watch TV, and am always out and doing something in the evenings either with friends or not! So... yes there is nothing stopping me. But I am so happy now, I don't want to change.

2. The motorbike was a great suggestion, and no I hadn't thought of it! But... I would be put into the "Women Drivers" category.. and some of you might agree that we are bad enough as we are!!! (Exception to the rule of course)

3. Buying a banger and driving it into the ground, wouldn't lower my car maintenance costs, or diesel.

4. My engine size... VW Passat 1.9TDI (100bhp). Nothing special really, and in fact this is not my car by choice.. But means must :mad:!
Yes I see what you're saying about a smaller newer engine... i.e. Toyota Corilla 1.4 Diesel. That would be ideal... But because of my expense, I cannot afford to get a car loan.
So if I could swap my "family car" for a smaller more modern Diesel, and I'm guessing I would be lucky to get 3700 for it... Then I am out of luck!

5. I have thought about approaching work to fund some of the costs. It's good to know it has been successful for some people.

The train is working out that it will save me 120e a month, and will reduce my spend on the car. But the changeover in Kildare is a pain really... And 2 hours to travel from NB to Roscrea is a long time too.

We wonder why there are little oppertunities for People living in the midlands. What choice do they have when they are locked in there...

Neither Kavanagh's or Bus Eireann run an earling morning bus from Roscrea to NB.. Although they pass through, you have to change at Kildare Village and wait for 15/20 mins.
Trains, one goes to Dublin at 9:20...

Why isn't the country being opened up more, in times of a recession, to enable People who maybe don't have cars etc... to maybe travel to bigger places in hope of gaining employment!

Do we really have to move from somewhere we love, in a country that's famous for being so small!!!!
It's ridiculous!

mikemac

Fluffsticle wrote: »

Trains, one goes to Dublin at 9:20...

The trains on that line, we'll call it Nenagh line as the biggest town, has always been a joke.
Though it's better then recent years when it was 9-5. Useless for commuters but handy for Irish Rail staff. Or if you wanted to pop into Limerick for some lunch.

Only two trains a day, may as well shut the thing down if you won't give it a proper chance

BostonB

Fluffsticle wrote: »

...
3. Buying a banger and driving it into the ground, wouldn't lower my car maintenance costs, or diesel....

The point of a banger is you don't maintain it. You drive it till it stops. Then walk away from it. The point is to spend as little as possible on it.

BostonB

Longest commute I ever did was about 70km or 43 miles each way. So 86 mile round trip. Mainly across mountain roads. Used to take about 75~90 mins. I only did it every day for a few weeks before switching to 3 day week with 2 days working from home. I did it for about 3 or 4 months, but I was seriously considering getting a BB for a couple of nights. As you just got too tired doing that journey every morning and evening. You've no life outside of it too.

Its soul draining.

positron

Fluffsticle wrote: »

...motorike...I would be put into the "Women Drivers" category.. and some of you might agree that we are bad enough as we are!!! (Exception to the rule of course)

You can get a comfy scooter if you are not comfortable with a motorbike - easy twist and go. Something like this.

My own daily commute involves 15 mins walk to train station, 55 minutes train, and another 15 mins walk from station to work, and repeat this in reverse in the evening. Including delays and waiting around, if I am out of the house at 6:45am, I don't get back until 6:45pm. I am actively considering switching to motorbike, and to bike once in a while.

The benefit of travelling by train is that it lets me catch up on work, movies, serials, book etc - or even sleep.

Fluffsticle

My commute at the moment involves, leaving the house at 6:15. 15 min drive to the train. Train for 45 Mins. Then 20 min brisk walk from station to work! On the reverse, it includes a 15-20 min wait at Kildare train station.
I get in the door at home at 7:10.

The alternative is drive, which takes me 1hour 10 mins each way, and a lot more expense.

At the moment I'm weighing up the inconvenience of getting the train. against the extra cash. If the extra cash in my pocket is worth it, then I will stick it out!

Reading etc on the train is great, and it's relaxing.
Maybe I should consider a bike on the other end, and turn a 20 min break your neck walk into a 5 min cycle!!

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Could you advertise for car-pooling partners in the local press?




.

I will try advertising locally this weekend to see if anyone does that commute, that's a great idea thanks...:)
I've had no success yet with carpooling sites.

Thanks Positron for the enthusiasm for the Scooter too... It's the fact of having nothing around me if I happened to be in a crash that doesn't appeal to me!
And I'm more of a car enthusiast I would think. Guess it's like a Dog/Cat thing!!

BrianD3

Fluffsticle wrote: »

Hi Folks..
4. My engine size... VW Passat 1.9TDI (100bhp). Nothing special really, and in fact this is not my car by choice.. But means must :mad:!
Yes I see what you're saying about a smaller newer engine... i.e. Toyota Corilla 1.4 Diesel. That would be ideal... But because of my expense, I cannot afford to get a car loan.
So if I could swap my "family car" for a smaller more modern Diesel, and I'm guessing I would be lucky to get 3700 for it... Then I am out of luck!

The passat should still be an economical car, I'd expect at least 50 mpg from it. If you are only getting 40 I wonder if it is your driving style eg driving too fast and/or braking too much will seriously affect economy. Tyre pressures and some other things also make a noticable difference.

Small modern diesels are becoming affordable now eg a 2003 Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi diesel is a very economical car. Comfort levels would be inferior to a Passat but that doesn't bother some people.

I do a longer commute than you, also for family/friend reasons and I too am happy. So I understand where you're coming from. Fuel prices are starting to bite now but things would have to get way, way worse before I'd consider moving.

Victor

Depending on the work you do, would it be possible to do 4 x 10 hour shifts instead of 5 x 8 hour?

Does your empployer take part in the TaxSaver scheme? www.taxsaver.ie

Rawr

Fluffsticle wrote: »

My commute at the moment involves, leaving the house at 6:15. 15 min drive to the train. Train for 45 Mins. Then 20 min brisk walk from station to work! On the reverse, it includes a 15-20 min wait at Kildare train station.
I get in the door at home at 7:10.

The alternative is drive, which takes me 1hour 10 mins each way, and a lot more expense.

At the moment I'm weighing up the inconvenience of getting the train. against the extra cash. If the extra cash in my pocket is worth it, then I will stick it out!

Reading etc on the train is great, and it's relaxing.
Maybe I should consider a bike on the other end, and turn a 20 min break your neck walk into a 5 min cycle!!




I will try advertising locally this weekend to see if anyone does that commute, that's a great idea thanks...:)
I've had no success yet with carpooling sites.

Thanks Positron for the enthusiasm for the Scooter too... It's the fact of having nothing around me if I happened to be in a crash that doesn't appeal to me!
And I'm more of a car enthusiast I would think. Guess it's like a Dog/Cat thing!!

For you, I'd recommend a folding bike. When folded it can fit into a car boot, and fits onto a train with little difficulty. I used to do this for my commute a long while back. For a long while these were the only bikes that IE allowed onto Suburban Rail (However I've heard that they're opening up to standard bikes as well).

Despite their odd design, folding bikes handle quite nicely and I've often outpaced some normal push-bikes on one.

Fluffsticle

BrianD3 wrote: »

The passat should still be an economical car, I'd expect at least 50 mpg from it. If you are only getting 40 I wonder if it is your driving style eg driving too fast and/or braking too much will seriously affect economy. Tyre pressures and some other things also make a noticable difference.

I didn't say the Passat gets 40mpg. Some earlier poster calculated/assumed that it does.
At the end of every journey to work the comp shows that I have averaged between 44-48 MPGs. Although I haven't calculated it over a week/tank.

I drive Motorway for 36miles. Although it's great for not accelerating/braking... The higher rev levels are surely driving up the MPG's. In the evenings I'm not in so much of a hurry, and the average speed on Motorway is slower, so it's easier to do 60-70mph on the way home!! Last Friday, I got from Monasterevin exit on M7 to Roscrea with the money light on!! Hi-Five! Average MPG's were 68 for that Trip!!!

Victor... Yes my company participate in this scheme. Thanks. I'm currently getting the train to work for a month to see how it goes. However, I have a 20 min wait in Kildare where I change trains...!!! Roscrea must be one of those towns where they like to make it as hard as possible for People to leave!!! LOL:rolleyes:

Working from home, and bundling my hours into 4 days, sound great... But in a time of recession, I'm not sure I'm in a position to negotiate on my job! And realistically, I do need to be here every day!

I will try a bike next week from Train to Work... That has to make it better on the hips. I have an old wreck, that I can just leave overnight and at weekends, and hope someone doesn't rob the saddle off it!!!!! LOL

And it's not even pay day for another few weeks!!!
Hope everyone had a good commute this morning....

Victor

Fluffsticle wrote: »

I drive Motorway for 36miles. Although it's great for not accelerating/braking... The higher rev levels are surely driving up the MPG's. In the evenings I'm not in so much of a hurry, and the average speed on Motorway is slower, so it's easier to do 60-70mph on the way home!! Last Friday, I got from Monasterevin exit on M7 to Roscrea with the money light on!! Hi-Five! Average MPG's were 68 for that Trip!!!

Its 54 miles from Roscrea to Newbridge - are you avoiding the toll? Is that a false economy?

http://maps.google.ie/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Roscrea&daddr=Newbridge&hl=en&geocode=FU8JKAMdofiI_ykFLkYN0eRcSDGOUMKgsx5NMA%3BFTl4KwMda02Y_ynJysFP5n9dSDEwzDGXqccACg&mra=luc&doflg=ptm&sll=53.0464,-7.30056&sspn=0.477179,1.150818&ie=UTF8&ll=52.935811,-7.588806&spn=0.119601,0.549316&z=11

BostonB

Rawr wrote: »

... (However I've heard that they're opening up to standard bikes as well).....

Only out of peak hours though so no good for commuters.

Fluffsticle

Victor wrote: »

Its 54 miles from Roscrea to Newbridge - are you avoiding the toll? Is that a false economy?

http://maps.google.ie/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Roscrea&daddr=Newbridge&hl=en&geocode=FU8JKAMdofiI_ykFLkYN0eRcSDGOUMKgsx5NMA%3BFTl4KwMda02Y_ynJysFP5n9dSDEwzDGXqccACg&mra=luc&doflg=ptm&sll=53.0464,-7.30056&sspn=0.477179,1.150818&ie=UTF8&ll=52.935811,-7.588806&spn=0.119601,0.549316&z=11

Most definately am avoiding the Toll...

It would cost me 18euro a week on Tolls! On top of 75 on Diesel that I am/was spending!!

And the higher speed would loak up more Diesel... And it only saves about 4 mins off my journey!

Plus the boredom of driving motorway for an hour is a nightmare!

Maybe it is false economy avoiding the Motorway... but how?

BostonB

Perhaps you should take some tips from fuel economy racing.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/EM-hypermiling-driving-tips-ecodriving.php

http://ecomodder.com/blog/20-yearold-modified-honda-crx-hf-scores-118-mpg-fuel-economy-run/

Victor

Fluffsticle wrote: »

Maybe it is false economy avoiding the Motorway... but how?

Because stop-start driving, going up and down hills, going around bends and accelerating/braking are bad for fuel consumption also.

Fluffsticle

Fuel economy racing tips are great :-) thanks.

I like driving... I don't like blowing on the accelerator in the hope that the car will move!!

Yes I see your point Victor... The old road would have more hills and bends than the motorway, and a rougher surface, and possibly the chance of acceleration on overtaking someone driving at 40mph.

I would rather spend my extra €18 a week on Diesel (or preferably Pertrol) than giving it to the toll!!! I would enjoy it way more!

So there's my false economy... But you have to enjoy life too

NedNew2

I worked out that you're using about 7.0 litres/100km which seems a little high for a diesel car - considering with my 1.4ltr petrol gives me on average 6.5 ltrs/100km.

Maybe your car needs a service? Maybe you're driving a bit hard?

A Dub in Glasgo

The key to reducing a commute or even a stressful commute is to live as close as you can to work or on a direct railway line to work or on an easy drive to work. People make choices and each choice will have its pros and cons. It is not always possible to have all pros therefore you need to decide what is more important, a long commute or a short commute? if staying long, is expense or time more important?

Libretto

I do Wexford (about 5 miles from town) to sth Dub on avg 4 days a week. Up at 6.15, leave house at 6.30, in office for 8am and home by 6.15. Have company car and no traffic in the mornings so dosent bother me much any more

Figment

Maybe look at it as an opportunity.
If you can take the train or bus use the time with a laptop and dongle and start up a small online business.
The forced isolation on the commute is great for concentrating the mind and you will be surprised on how much you can get done.

Plus you will no longer notice the travel time fly by

coolperson05

I would always recommend public transport, despite it's drawbacks, as you can work/sleep on it! Most people on PT at that hour of the morning are working too so there's little disturbance. My idea that even saving time with the car, you actually wasting hours staring at a motorway when you could do some work. My thoughts..

monument

BTW this thread is about a year old.