The Empirical Method

About two months ago, a rather inattentive postal worker drove into my car and damaged it so badly that it had to be written off. After ten years of incredibly reliable service, my beloved convertible was headed to the wreckers. Worse, not only would I have to find a new one, but the cost of second-hand cars had risen exponentially. This relatively small accident had left me without transport and potentially thousands of pounds worse off.

On the upside, the driver accepted full responsibility and my dealings with the insurers were relatively short and productive. Payment was made within a fortnight and the hunt for a new vehicle began.

Finding transport

My husband is expert in all things mechanical, so I let him look for something suitable. He found some lovely vehicles, but they were diesel and less than ideal for town driving. He found others, the price of which were more than double my settlement sum. We considered car loans, using savings and tried to estimate the potential maintenance costs involved. We did maths until my head hurt. Because surely, as someone with limited mobility, I could not possible manage without a car? Or could I?

And so began my car experiment (I am a great fan of the empirical method). I would run it for a month or two and then make a decision. If it didn’t work, then there was no loss except in time. If it did work, I would be saved a lot of bother and expense.

Buses are rather beyond me, since the stops are all some way from my home and sadly, I couldn’t stand for long if they didn’t turn up. So my only real option was taxis and trying to increase the distance I could walk.

Taxi!

Most of us think of taxis as a luxury, because they are expensive. My weekly trip to the Towner costs about £14 return. My friend’s single ticket to Heathrow cost £19. Yet, even at such a price, they come out considerably cheaper than running a car. According to The Car Expert, the average UK driver spends approximately £2,600 a year in running costs (and that excludes the purchase/lease price). For someone like me, who does much less driving and over short distances, it comes out to about £1,700 (£33 per week). So my question was: Would I, over the course of a month, spend more than £33 a week?

The answer was a resounding no. Once or twice I got close but much more often spent £15 or less. The reason for this, in part, is that my husband has a car, so weekends and evenings I have access to another vehicle. It would be rather more difficult without a second car, but not impossible. And yes, I do go out! If it’s not too far, I can walk one way and take a taxi the other and get in my daily exercise.

The price of convenience

I would be lying if I didn’t say that using taxis requires a little more forethought than simply jumping into the car. The service I use is exceptionally reliable and with their app I can book my journey in both directions, but I do have to book. It is also advisable not to use them at rush hour or during the school run – but then, even when I had a car, I avoided those times.

For those more able-bodied than me, walking and cycling are forms of transport that reduce the need for expensive gym membership, as well as giving the environment a much needed break. Ironically, they can also be quicker and more convenient than cars, since there are no headaches with parking or getting to precisely your destination.

Most folks would consider losing their car as a great tragedy, but the last few months have taught me that the opposite is true. A polite driver picks me up and drops me off at the door. In my experience, they are always punctual and it is rather lovely being chauffeured around the town rather than being stressed by traffic jams, parked cars and pedestrians.

Taxis must be the most efficient use of vehicles too, since they are used all day by any number of people instead of taking up road space on the curb-side. Further, they use return journeys to collect others thus reducing the carbon emissions for each ride.

Finding alternatives

We are so much a car culture that it is often difficult to see that other alternatives exist. For those living in rural areas, I appreciate that a car may well be a life-line, but even here we can think a little imaginatively.

In Aberlour, in the Highlands, we discovered that there was an electric car and bike share. You join the scheme, pay a nominal subscription of £18 a month and pick up and drop off your vehicle at the Tourist Information office in the centre of the village. Mileage is charged at about 20p per mile and by the time required. In addition, Speyside has a voluntary car share for those less able to get about. Even in such a remote place, they have found a solution to fit everyone.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could do something like this ourselves? So many of our streets are literally lined with vehicles (some on the pavements where prams and wheelchairs cannot pass).

It is seldom that I see a car with more than one occupant heading in the same direction. My friends are all great at filling the car for outings, but perhaps we should encourage more to do the same. It may not be quite so easy, but personal convenience comes at a cost to everyone.

Do try this at home

My little car experiment has, so far, turned out very well and I’m very glad to have embarked on it. But my situation is not your situation. All I can do is encourage you to create a little experiment of your own. Who knows, it may transform your life.

Addendum – Today my taxi let me down and left me stuck at the Towner. Despite booking, it never arrived. It was during a busy period. Fortunately, the bus stop was not too far away in the town centre and I got home safely and easily. Perhaps I shall be trying a hybrid approach from now on!