Public transport vs driving: Which is better?

It’s a debate that has been circling since the dawn of time, creating for many a dilemma about whether to invest in a private car or not. Both sides have convincing arguments that can sway a potential buyer either way.

Whilst personal cars offer a lot more flexibility and more opportunities to be spontaneous, those who rebuff car ownership argue that public transport is cheaper in the long run as you bypass huge costs like road tax, fuel, and maintenance.

If you’re working out whether to buy a car or not, perhaps the following arguments for and against will help make the decision easier.

Consider your lifestyle

Whether a car will be valuable to you or not is a matter of your lifestyle. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like to plan trips and wants the possibility to head off somewhere without much thought, then having a car will be a huge advantage. It’s also worth considering where you live; if you live somewhere outside of town with minimal or lengthy transport links, it’s also worth investing in a car.

If, however, you live in the middle of the city and have everything you need within walking distance, it probably doesn’t make much sense to own a car. Not only will you have to pay expensive parking fees, but you will also have to pay tax, insurance, and maintenance costs regardless of how little you use it.

Consider the financial factors

One of the biggest arguments against car ownership is how much it costs to run. With the cost-of-living crisis meaning even higher fuel costs, owning a car is now much more expensive than it was a few years ago.

If, however, a car is imperative to your lifestyle, consider used cars for a more affordable price. Opting for used cars often comes with great benefits such as lower insurance rates, reliability, and greater efficiency.

There’s often a range of choices to choose from to suit your lifestyle, from used luxury cars like the BMW 4 series that’s great for the family, Land Rover Discover for the adventure type, or a Ford Fiesta for a smaller run-around car

Consider the economic factors

Driving a car might not save as much time as you expect, especially in the middle of cities. If you’re thinking of buying a car just to get around your immediate vicinity, do your research on how much congestion there is in your city. London, for example, has been rated the most congested city in the world for two years in a row. This is a big enough reason for commuters to turn away from car ownership, with many opting instead to spend longer on public transport just to avoid it.

Additionally, if you’re trying to minimise your carbon footprint, then owning a car is an obvious red flag. By taking public transport instead, you are keeping fewer cars off the road and are making an environmentally conscious choice for travel.