The Politburo Diktat

The Daily Commute

Inspired by Countertop's report of $3.00 a gallon gas and his review of commuting options in the DC area, here is my New York area commute.

Using a car is not feasible. There is too much traffic and parking in Manhattan prohibitively expensive. There are bus services, but most people prefer the train, if the train is anywhere near their home.

The train costs $150 per month. The trip takes about an hour and fifteen minutes each way, but could take less if I wanted to rush. I leave my house at 7:15 AM, permitting me to walk, not run, to the local station. I buy the New York Times and board the 7:34, which brings me to Grand Central Terminal in about 35 minutes. From there, I walk through midtown Manhattan, picking up a breakfast bagel on the way. By 8:30, I am at my desk. My wife works in the city, too, and we almost always ride together in the morning.

In the evening, logically enough, it takes about the same amount of time. I leave my office at 6:00, to get a 6:14, which arrives at my local station by 6:44. The evening walk is uphill,and in the summer, is the least favorite part of my commute. I get a home a little after 7:00. Sometimes I take a later train in the evening, less often an earlier one. My wife and I try to coordinate in the evenings, but typically only ride together once or twice a week.

Total commuting time is about two hours and a half each day; half of that time is comfortably sitting and reading on the train, the other half is a (mostly) pleasant walk. One friend of mine, who has a similar routine joked, "At work, it's stress, and at home with teenage daughters, it's more stress. My commute is the best part of my day."

I almost always walk. If it's raining very heavily, I might get a ride from our babysitter.