I have been working in a new(ish) job now for just over a year. I was a bit spoiled in my previous job, despite living outside of Dublin, I was able to make the choice to drive to work, get one of 2 buses (one private one public) or drive to the train station, leave the car there and get the train into work. That involved about a 10 minute walk the other side of it, but thats good- bit of exercise for the day!
Since I moved to my new job, I’ve been a little less well off travel wise. I’ve been driving for most of the year, as its a difficult place to get to on public transport, involving at least 2 changes, depending on what way I decide on. It also involves a bit of walking, again good. I have done it occasionally, when I am going into Dublin after work and don’t want to bring the car in with me.
Since my boy moved out to me, we have been looking at a way of leaving the car at home more. Its easier for him, he only has one connection. We do have to drive to the train station though, thats the only way of getting there (unless we cycle!), its about 3 miles away.
The government here decided a while ago to try and encourage people to use public transport more (because its SOOOO good- not, I think we have the worse public transport set up in Europe) and give your tax back if you buy a yearly ticket. It works out well, the tickets vary in price depending on what you are opting for, and you get about 45% of it back, and you apply from it through your workplace, and they deduct the price of the ticket from your salary every month.
So my boy has applied for his yearly ticket for the train only and will start using it in January. I havent yet, as Im still dubious about the time it will take me to commute to and from work on public transport. Driving usually takes me about an hour each way.
Soo, where is this leading us? Wednesday and Thursday of this week I commuted. Wednesday, I got the bus in, and then got the Luas to the nearest point for my work and then walked. It took me exactly an hour, from the time I left the house, and included a 15 minute walk. I felt refreshed when I got into work! Wednesday evening I went into Dublin to meet friends.
(waiting for the luas into town, isnt the canal beautiful at night?)
Thursday morning, the same, took me an hour door to door.
Thursday night however, was a different matter.
I decided to get the luas into town to one of 2 train stations as I had gotten the bus into town in the morning so hadn’t left the car at the station (there is a bus put on for one of the train stations near me into my village, but not for the other one), had to run for the train as it was due to leave, got onto it okay and even got a seat. The problem came when we came into the train station near me. No bus. People getting off the train with me, were heading to cars, and heading for the road, and I assumed they were going to wait for the bus as it usually pulls in there. Nope. the ones heading for the road, crossed over, and kept on walking. So, as I havent gotten that train for a good while, just assumed that there was no bus for that particular train and had to follow them. So, I walked all the way into the village, (about a 2 mile walk this one, not usually a problem, but at the end of a busy day it is, on top of previous excercise. I love excercise so much- can you tell I’m a bit sarcastic?) with the bus passing me on its way to the train station for the next train. Damn it anyway!!
When I finally got in home, I was wrecked. I’d left work early enough, but it had taken me 2 HOURS to get home.
Needless to say, I drove to work yesterday. Took me an hour to get home…….WITH a deviation into Avoca on the way….
I’ll continue trying, see if I get the right combination, but I’ll holding off on buying a yearly ticket just for now.
