Why people still choose to bring their car instead of using public transport

source: Google

People still choose to bring their car because of safety, convenience, comfort, timer saving.  Some say that public transport can be cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but based on my personal experience it's not applicable here in the Philippines.

source: shutterstock.com

SAFETY : Yes safety is number one for me, aside from convenience and personal comfort - I find it safer to bring my car to work and wherever I wanted to go.  Years ago, when I was commuting home via jeepney: (1) I saw a man snatched the bracelet of the student sitting in front of me in broad daylight.  (2) During my high school days I used to commute from school to home and I felt the man beside trying to touch me covering his hands with his backpack, I was so afraid.  Good thing someone got off the jeepney, I transferred seat right away.  From that time I had this trauma of riding a jeep without a companion.  That's why when I started working one of the things I wanted to buy was my own car.  

COST EFFECTIVE : This is not applicable here in the Philippines, because high cost of fuel which results to pricey transportation fare.

I made this personal computation : 

• Commuting expense: Total P106.00 per day / P106.00 per day x 22 days = P2,332.00 per month
• Home to Office
• Tricycle fare from home to Jeepney/UV Express station: P13.00 
• Jeepney fare from station to Office                             P13.00
• Office to Home
• Tricycle fare (special trip) Office to home               P80.00

• If I Bring my car : I fill my car - Full tank every month so I will know my consumption every month.  My regular monthly full tank cost is around P1,700.00 to P1,800.00.  This one is for 30 or 31 days = so approximately P1,800.00/30 days = P60.00 per day.  

When you compare both I have a P106.00 less P60.00 = P46.00 savings per day / P46.00 x 22  work days = P1,012.00 savings per month.  So for me it's more cost effective to bring my car to work, please also note that the computation for bringing my car is 30 days.  

source: Google

PERSONAL COMFORT, CONVENIENCE & FLEXIBILITY : Driving allows you to have a time flexibility, this allows you to leave at your most convenient time.  Convenient travel especially it's super traffic here in the Philippines and the hot weather really contribute to additional stress in commuting.  And if the traffic flow is good, bringing your own car results to faster travel.

• Carrying capacity : If you came from a supermarket or you need to bring home large items, things and etc.  it's more convenient to bring your own car.  The Manong jeepney driver (not all) might charge you additional fare if you are carrying large items or might start ranting if you will not offer to pay additional.
• Pet transportation : Public utility vehicles does not allow you to bring pets (especially large breeds), but when you bring your own car - you can bring your beloved pet anywhere.

I hope the government can improve their police power to counter the crimes so it will be safer to commute and to find other ways to make the cost of fuel products cheaper that will result to lower transport fares.  Good, safe and convenient public transport can encourage people to take them.  Additional transport coding scheme will not help in decongesting our roads.

Tidbits:

Having a car now is not being "sosyal" or being "maarte" - it's a necessity already.  I am not discriminating those who does not have a vehicle and are commuting: but make each of your commuting experience a drive for you to dream big in the future to have your own vehicle.