Car Alternatives for Country Folk

When looking for ways to travel without a car, small changes are easier to try and see if they work for us before considering bigger changes. Here are some ideas, small and large, that can help to guide our commuting choices:

• Save a trip by combining errands with your regular commute.
• Investigate public transportation options in your commuting range.
• Find a co-worker or friend who will pilot a carpooling arrangement, even once a week or twice a month.
• Walk or bike to work on occasion if safe and practical—Try an e-bike! Yes, that’s a bike that offers electric assistance to help you with those Vermont hills!
• Try walking, biking or taking the commuter bus to appointments or meetings.
• Learn about electric car (plug-in or hybrid) options. There are more available every year, and you can explore them to see if they may be a good option when you do replace your car.
• Consider leasing an electric vehicle for commuting purposes to see if this option works for you.

There are days when public transportation or the carpool won’t work because of a mid-day doctor’s appointment, or school events right after work, but let’s not allow these days to prevent us from breaking the solo commuting habit. Look at your commute from a different perspective and think creatively. Change can be hard, and sometimes when we try something new that takes us away from our usual routine, it can feel challenging. But think of the benefits.