Two wheels are the only car alternative

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They say once you get a car, you never want to ride on a bus again. For some people that might be true, and in Manchester you can’t blame them.  

According to the AA, an average car journey costs up to 29.04p a mile, including petrol, parking and tolls.  (View the full table of current car running costs on  www.theaa.com). It can be as little as 16p a mile if you have a very economic car – or you share your car trips with a friend. 

car running costs 2005

car running costs 2005

   

     

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

A Manchester bus ride can cost more than three times this much.  This one, from Barlow Moor Road in West Didsbury to Stockport bus station, a distance of about three miles, cost £1.70 – that’s about 56p a mile. Manchester trains and trams are even more expensive.  

Bus Ticket, Barlow Moor Road to West Didsbury, costing 56p per mile

Bus Ticket, Barlow Moor Road to West Didsbury, costing 56p per mile

Of course, with a car there are expenses like insurance, road tax and so on, but these don’t depend on how much you use it. You still have to pay them even if you go by bus. They are part of the cost of owning a car, not of using it.  

So in Manchester, if you want to do your bit for pollution and congestion and leave the car at home, and not be out of pocket as a result, you can forget the bus, the train and the Metro. It’s either two legs or two wheels.

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