How do you get to work? (Charlotte, Raleigh: travel, home, college)

[pjsson]

If you work for one of the larger companies downtown, how do you get to work? Public transportation, like bus or light rail or drive or a combination? Living in Huntersville or around, would it be possible to bike to the bus stop and leave the bike there? Would it still be there when I come back in the evening? How is parking downtown?

Thanks

[WellingtonChase]

Well, I going to assume that you are a male. So being new to this town myself this state is not quite like the west coast in that it has extreme cold fronts sometimes and I probably would not recommend riding my bike to work on those days. However, depending on where you work maybe a bus will work. Keep in mind that the central part of this state is actually Charlotte or let's say even Raleigh. Most people drive here. I remember when I first moved here I thought I was going to take a walk around the corner to the store and begin to work and my fiance' called me to ask what I was doing I told him taking a walk to the store and he said "Honey the store is too far for you to walk, you will have to wait till I get home from work". That told me I'm not quite in the city anymore. So things are a bit farther away. I live in Cabarrus County still around the corner from Horses, Cows, Goats and a Lake Front property so I need a car in my area. I'm not sure where Huntersville is but I'm sure its not that far from me. Call the DOT for your area in terms of getting around town. You can also go to the Chamber of Commerce and pick-up some free materials on routes on the bus, etc. Well hope that helps. Good Luck!

WellingtonChase

[cgballer]

Don't know about Huntersville. I live in Belmont and I ride my bike to the bus stop and take the express bus to uptown. Works great for me. I only drive to the bus stop when it's raining.

[trishlee]

There are two park and rides in huntersville. Both have bike lockers. Taking the bus is very convenient. Buses leave every 15 minutes or so during rush hour and drop off and pick up right in the middle of uptown. The routes you want to look at are 48X from Huntersville Gateway or 77X from Northcross, depending upon whether you live closer to exit 23 or exit 25. See C.A.T.S. for info on the bus. Cost is $1.45 each way on a 10-ride express bus pass. Much cheaper than paying for gas and parking.

[DawnW]

DH can't use the busses as they don't run late enough.

He drives to the train station on South Blvd. and takes that in to Uptown. He can buy a pass from work. It drops him off less than 2 blocks from his office.

Dawn

[auditor]

My new employer there subsidizes the employees for taking public transportation. That will be a big change for me. I am used to driving my car 10 minutes to get to my office here. They want people to take the public transportation to help free up parking I assume and maybe because the employees will arrive at a very similar time each morning (just assuming they will have to be to the bus when it runs).

[arussell]

I drive to uptown, but if gas continues to go up. I may drive over to the Arboretum and take the express bus. My company has an indoor lot where they pay most of the monthly bill and hit me with $45 a month. I take it if I had to cut out the driving and paying for parking. I will be a winner because the company pay you $95 a month in travel allowance for using public transporation. Taking a bus for the month will not come close to the subsidy.

[jarobi1]

I am debating about riding to bus to work. I live in Charlotte, but right outside of Belmont. My drive is about 15 min and I pay 95/mo to park uptown. My car takes about 45-50 to fill up. Would I come out better just driving to the bus stop in Belmont and catching the bus to work? Especially since CATS is trying to raise their rates in Oct.

[coped]

How often do you run out of gas. I'm assuming once a week. 50x4, that's $200 there. Plus $95 for parking. $295, that doesn't begin to cover your oil, tires and general wear-and-tear and depreciation on your car. Tack on another 50 a month for that. I'd say you're probably spending $300-$345 a month total. Even with the fare increase, an Express Plus monthly pass will be $120/month. So, depending on how far you would have to drive to the bus stop, you would almost certainly come out ahead.

[abcornwell]

Driving my car from Gastonia/Cramerton into Uptown.

I've read that the 85X from Belmont is standing room only, and that wouldn't work for me (a back/hip injury). CATS isn't adding buses anytime soon. And, if I have to work late, I'd be out of luck, as there are only 4 (?) inbound/outbound expresses.

I inquired recently about starting a mini-van pool through CATS. They responded that they are out of resources and the best I can do is to get on a waiting list. Sounds like lots of people are trying alternatives!

My employer pays for my parking, in the Holiday Inn at 6th & College. If I took a van pool or a bus they'd reimburse me the cost when I bring in a receipt. So the best deal for me would be the bus. Except I've been going to doctor & physical therapy appointments during the day ... so for now it's the good ole Subaru!

Anyone want to talk about car pooling from Gastonia to Uptown?