Have been running and biking with reasonable frequency lately, just because it feels good to do so.
Today there was nothing more strenous than walking, but the GPS was deployed for some research. Basically, to figure out how good or bad it would be to commute to work via AC Transit bus and BART train once the corporate office moves to downtown SF. My motorcycle was in the shop and the bus/train were getting me there to retrieve it. So why not make a few observations along the way.
1) Moto commute, Oakland "Hills/Mills" Area to south end of 2nd street SF.
Time:
20-30 min for 15 mile ride depending on traffic.
0-10 min x-factor walking from parking
20/30/40 best/typical/worst
Cost:
1.60 gas money (2/3 gallon round trip)
4.00 toll (none during commute hours, but I usually WFH until commute dies down)
5.60 total
2) Bus/Train
Time:
5 min walk to bus stop
1-15 min wait for bus (5 typical)
7-15 min bus ride depending on traffic (10 typical)
1-7 min wait for train (3 typical)
16 min station to station
20 min walk station to office
50/59/78 minutes best/typical/worst
Cost:
3.50 bus fare round trip
7.10 train fare round trip
10.60 total
Conclusions:
* Bike worst case (40 min) is better than the bus/train best case by 15 min.
* Bike maint cost/mi (not incl. gas) would have to be > 15 cents. It is pretty close. Plus I'm going to keep the bike anyway, so I may as well use it a lot and get the most utility out of the insurance and registration.
* Public transit allows ~25 min time to read each way.
* A good schedule (minimum wait times at the bus stop and the train station) and something to shorten the walks (skateboard?) would help the transit itinerary become more competitive.
