Commuting options in Nelson
Compare driving solo with cycling, carpooling and bus travel to determine the best commuting options in Nelson.
Costs and benefits
Below is a look at the costs and benefits of choosing alternatives to single-occupant car commuting. The analysis is based on a one-day, 28-kilometre return commute between Richmond and Nelson.
Keep in mind the following:
- Average automobile return travel time between Richmond and Nelson (during peak time commuter hours) 47 minutes
- Average travel speed 35 km/hr (28km in 47 minutes)
- Average Nelson hourly wage (Stats NZ) $22.17
- Automobile operating cost/km (AA) 78 cents
The findings
Cycling is the cheapest, slowest, healthiest and most environmentally sustainable transport, but less flexible than driving (for example, if plans change and you need to go elsewhere than home after work).
Carpooling is fast, more affordable than driving solo, but not quite so flexible as driving solo, and not as healthy or as environmentally sustainable as bus or bike.
Bus transport is cheap, reasonably fast, environmentally sustainable, but less convenient and flexible due to fixed routes and limited timetables.
Single-occupant car travel is the fastest, most expensive, and most flexible, but not healthy or environmentally-sustainable.
The comparison of available transport options as at June 2008 when petrol prices were approximately $2.00/litre
Carpool
(1 driver, 1 passenger) |
Bus |
Cycling |
Single-occupant car |
| Cost $10.92 (per person) |
Cost $6.00 (2 of a ten-trip ticket) |
Cost $1.40 |
Cost $21.84 |
| Time 47 mins (incl walking from park) |
Time 70 mins (incl 20 mins walk from bus stop) |
Time 84 mins (incl shower at work) |
Time 47 mins |
| 3.08 kg CO2 emissions per person |
0.112 kg CO2 emissions per passenger (23 passengers) |
Zero kg CO2 emissions |
6.16 kg CO2 emissions |
| Less flexible than driving alone |
Less flexible than driving |
Less flexible than driving |
Flexible |
| Weather rarely problem |
Weather can be problem |
Wind, rain and cold can be problem |
Weather rarely problem |
| Good carrying capacity |
Some carrying capacity |
Limited carrying capacity |
Good carrying capacity |
| No exercise |
Light exercise (walk to/from bus stop) |
Excellent exercise |
No exercise |
| Costs rise as petrol prices rise |
Costs rise as petrol prices rise, but less than cars |
Costs not linked to petrol prices |
Costs rise as petrol prices rise |
Count the cost yourself
Environment Canterbury’s ‘GoSmarter’ website has a handy calculator for counting the costs of your travel.
Count the cost of commuting yourself at the 'GoSmarter' webiste.
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