"When I telecommute, I get more writing done, because it's quiet at home." I’ve been telecommuting "As the vanpool driver I save about $2,000 a year."
My commute got a lot longer when my company moved. To save money, I started carpooling with my baby-sitter’s daughter. About a year ago we added five more employees and started a vanpool. As the driver I save about $2,000 a year, because I ride free and can use the van for up to 400 personal miles each month. Using the van cuts down the wear and tear on my car.
Rowena Pasia, Lake Forest, IL
for years. Working at home a few days a week is great. On telecommute days, I can concentrate on writing projects because it's quiet and I don't have as many interruptions. Plus, there's no commute and I can wear whatever I want. I've always liked sweatshirts better than neckties!
"I carpool because I like not having to drive all the time."
David Garcia, Cranford, NJ
I carpool with two other Vanguard employees, so I cut my commute costs by two-thirds. With my commute, that’s about $125 a month. That’s money I can take shopping! Second, I only drive one week in three, so I can relax the other two weeks. Finally, I like the company. The conversation makes the time go faster and with three of us I feel safer.
Bridget Murphy, Malvern, PA
"My work schedule gives me the flexibility to combine work and school."
"The bus is inexpensive, convenient, and relaxing." My commute is pretty short,
about 20 minutes. For me the bus works well. It’s inexpensive, convenient, and a lot more relaxing than driving in rush hour. I also like the freedom. That might sound strange - most people think just the opposite - but with the bus I can forget about traffic and parking. I can read, look out the window, or just peoplewatch.
Doug Maine, Hartford, CT
My office allows me to work a 40 hour week in four days instead of five. Each work day is a little longer than before, but I get an extra day off. The flexibility is a big help to me. I go to school part-time and use the day off for classes, to keep up with homework, and to do errands. Then I still have some free time on the weekend.
An alternative to driving alone just might work for you!
Ping Luh, Redondo Beach, CA
"By bicycling I fit exercise into my schedule." I’ve been bicycling to my job
Did you know ...?
Air can be polluted even if you can’t see smog. Pollution makes breathing difficult for the elderly, children, and those with respiratory problems.
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at Children’s Hospital for six years. I have nothing against driving, but biking doesn’t pollute and is economical. It's a lot cheaper to maintain a bicycle than a car. By bicyling I also fit exercise into my schedule. The ride helps keep me in shape. But most of all, I just enjoy the ride. I have time to think and watch the sun rise.
Even healthy people can be short of breath when exercising on poor air quality days. Cars are cleaner than ever before, but Americans drive more each year. More driving means more air pollution. In 1990, about 120 areas of the country did not meet national air quality standards.
Jeff Hughes, Seattle, WA
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"The train gives me time to read the paper from cover to cover."
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I work for a consulting firm and work late several days a week. The train works for me because I can catch any number of trains home in the evening. It gives me the flexibility I need to do my job plus extra reading time. I finally have time to read the paper from cover to cover.
Achieving air that is healthy to breathe is a challenge. You can contribute by choosing an alternative to driving alone. With cleaner air and less traffic, you can benefit and so can your community.
Laureen Hartnett, Silver Spring, MD
"The bus fits my schedule. If I work late I just take a later bus." "I cut my commuting costs in half by carpooling." "With the money I saved by carpooling for a year, I took a cruise to the Bahamas." "With the companionship of the vanpool riders, the commute time flies by." "When I vanpool, I get home relaxed and ready to spend time with my family." "By riding the train, I gain an hour of reading time each day." "I love walking to work, because I get to spend some time outdoors." "My boss is glad I carpool because I’m always on time for work." "By walking to work I’ve lost 5 pounds." "When I take the bus I don’t have to search for a parking space." "I landed a great new job through a guy I met on the bus." "Sure I care about the environment, but I vanpool because I just hate to drive in traffic." "Because I bicycle to work, we don’t need a second car." "My commuter trains cuts 10 minutes from my commute time." "I nap on the bus so I can keep up with my four year old when I get home." "I carpool with kids on weekends. Carpooling with adults is easy, they don’t hit each other!" "My doctor is happy I walk to work because at last I found a way to fit exercise into my busy schedule." "The bus helped my social life. I met my wife waiting for the J-5 Express." "I know I should exercise, but I’m allergic to spandex. When I walk to work, I can skip the gym." "With my work schedule, I’m off on Mondays; a great day not to go to work!" "I’m putting away my carpool savings for a diamond for my girlfriend. Now, if I could just be sure she’d say yes." "I feel safer when I carpool." "When I remember the daily parking hassle, I wonder why I didn’t start riding the bus sooner!" "My daughter brags about how ’ecology conscious’ I am. Don’t tell her I carpool to save money." "Before I started walking to work, my car spent as much time in my mechanic’s garage as in mine." "If I didn’t vanpool, the stress of commuting would really get to me." "The bus is a lot more relaxing than driving in rush hour." "By carpooling, I saved $400 toward a weekend at a spa. It’s my treat to myself." "I get more work done when I telecommute, because I’m not interrupted as much." "I do the reading for my evening class on the bus ride to work." "I really enjoy my carpool group. TGIF has never been so much fun." "When I was having a tough time at work, my carpool partners really pulled me through." "Walking to work gives me time to be alone with my thoughts." "It’s a lot cheaper to maintain a bike than a car." "My wife says I’m not so grouchy since I’ve been riding the van." "The conductor on my commuter train cheers me up even on my worst days." "I was surprised how much I saved on car insurance by vanpooling." "I schedule doctor’s visits on my 9/80 day off and save my sick time for emergencies." "The only person not happy about my carpooling is my mechanic." "I usually carpool twice a week and do errands on the other days." "The train fits my erratic schedule because I can catch any of several trains." "The best thing about the bus is the extra sleep time. With four kids, I really need it!" "Telecommuting is great. I’ve always preferred sweatshirts to neckties." "After six months of biking to work, I’m proud to wear a bikini again." "Since I’ve been carpooling, I don’t take the car in for service as often." "When traffic is bad, I feel sorry for the bus driver, but I’m glad I’m not driving." "As the vanpool driver I ride free and save about $2,000 a year."