On carpooling to a reunion

14 Aug 2006

Got questions about the environment? Ask Umbra.

Dear Umbra,

You have told us, in no uncertain terms, that traveling by train is better ecologically than traveling by car. Several members of my family plan to carpool to an upcoming family reunion 600 miles away. I have considered trying to talk them into taking the train instead, but face the following problem: It would cost about $130 each, round-trip, and involve inconvenient hours guaranteed to annoy the elder generation. The car will cost about $40 each, round-trip. I myself, having a very tight budget, am considerably swayed by this, and have no doubt they will be also. Consequently, I am feeling angst of conscience. Have you words of wisdom or advice?

Nicole Montesano
Dundee, Ore.

Ask Umbra continues below

ADVERTISING POLICY

Dearest Nicole,

I admire your concern and conscientiousness, but the dilemma you present is actually not a bad one. Yes, I did endorse trains over cars. However, carpooling is always a good choice.

Rediscover your roots in the carpool lane.

It's not all that surprising that your nearest and dearest prefer the comfort of their car for this trip. After all, we're a car-obsessed culture. Did you know that here in the U.S. we travel 56 percent of our long-distance trip miles in a personal vehicle? Guess how much we travel long-distance by train: 1 percent. (Also, there's the mysterious 1 percent that's traveled by "other" conveyance -- camel? wagon? hovercraft? Who knows.)

So if we're going to remain car-obsessed, the least we can do is carpool. We love carpooling! Think about this: the average U.S. commuter travels approximately 15 miles one way to get to work each day. If you share a ride with someone, that's 7,500 miles a year the second car doesn't have to go -- saving about 300 gallons of gas. At today's prices, that's no small shakes. Of course, you are not going to commute daily with your relatives, and for that you can be thankful. But still, cramming yourself into a Caravan with your aunts and uncles for one trip is a far, far better thing than each of you driving by yourself.

If you agree to go this route, you can lessen the impact by taking the most efficient vehicle possible. When it comes down to grandma's Prius or your brother's Hummer, I think you know which one is best. If no one in your family owns an efficient car, consider renting a hybrid or other efficient car. And whatever you drive, try to keep your speed to 55-ish if you safely can -- that will help you save gas. And Aunt Bertie's hairdo.

Let's see, what else could you do? If you're stuck on using public transportation but the train is too expensive, you might investigate the bus -- though that still presents the scheduling issues, and is probably slower than the train. You could save very small additional amounts of fossil fuels in the car by making sure everyone brings as little luggage as possible, reducing the weight. You could even turn it into a game by pretending you're going backpacking and have to carry it all on your backs. Or -- here's an idea -- leave several days ahead of time and do exactly that. It's free if you camp on the side of the road, and you'll get fit as you go. Think what the cousins will say.

A final energy-saving option for you, Nicole, and it may look more and more tempting as this argument heats up between you and your loved ones: you could always stay home.

Family,
Umbra

Yours is to wonder why, hers is to answer (or try). Please send Umbra any nagging question pertaining to the environment -- but first check out her FAQs!

The claims made in this column may not reflect the views of this magazine. Neither the magazine nor the author guarantees that any advice contained in this column is wise or safe. Please use this column at your own risk.

Umbra Fisk is Grist Research Associate II, Hardcover and Periodicals Unit, floors 2B-4B.

Comments: (4 comments)

You are not logged in. Thus, you cannot post a comment. If you have a Gristmill account, log in below. If you don't have a Gristmill account, well, by all means go make one! Meet you back here in five.

cousins

Actually, the prospect of traveling cross-country, seated cheek-by-jowl, flank-by-thigh next to a young cousin who has unexpectedly blossomed, might dangerously lure some of us from other, more worthwhile pursuits.

Then again, one could always keep a journal, and later turn it into a memoir, and still later a film script.

Hmmm. Deep down, I guess the wisest counsel after all is Umbra's suggestion: Just Stay Home.

In general, though, she is right about train travel. It is pretty criminal of the feds, isn't it, to keep bailing out the airlines, while letting Amtrak wither and die.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 11:54 AM on 14 Aug 2006

suggestion

Piece does an excellent job, and a witty one too, of dealing with the important variables.

It might be wise to say a bit more about one of the options: bus. A first-time rider on an Intercity bus in this country might be surprised, confused, or alarmed by some of the [unstated or not obviously] rules, practices, and procedures.

- tracy

by tracy at 3:37 AM on 15 Aug 2006

Train and rental car

The most expensive option. But the honest eco saver and convenience winner.

The airlines, credit card, and car rental companies team up to offer car rental rebates somehow, do they not?

I guess Amtrak would not have that option, it seems to be the stepchild in the big bizz/government transportation lobbyist campaign "contribution" clan.

No one wants a train on their lap.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

by amazingdrx at 7:43 AM on 15 Aug 2006

NARP gives you a discount

Speaking of our abysmally bad train system, which would, as JH Kunstler says, would shame Bulgaria, there is a way to get a slight break on fares: join the Natl. Assn. of Rail Passengers (NARP, at narprail.org) and you can get a 10% break on your travel tickets (with lots of restrictions). But your NARP dues are tax-deductible, so you're getting double-good karma (helping Amtrak and keeping some money out of the hands of the airlines).

The 5% Project

by JMG at 6:50 AM on 16 Aug 2006

The comments of Grist users reflect the opinions of those individuals only, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Grist, its staff, its board members, their psychotherapists, or their aestheticians. Got it?

Carpools Rush In

On carpooling to a reunion