Author: Calla Bilinski
Law School
Each day used to begin with me awakening in the dark, fumbling around trying not to wake my husband while I rushed to leave the apartment by 6:30 am. I would travel from San Mateo, up hwy 101, over the Bay Bridge, up hwy 24, through the Caldecott tunnel, through the town of Orinda to reach Moraga. Each afternoon I would join the masses to make my way back through the tunnel, down 24, back over the Bay Bridge, down 101 and back to San Mateo. This 80 mile, 2+ hour trek was my daily routine. I needed a change. What should come along but a new job at Stanford. I was provided with a multitude of public transportation options upon my arrival here. I had been driving to work for years, I didn't know what to expect from public transportation; but it all seemed so easy I felt I had to at least try it for a little while.
Joining the commute club has been the best choice! I LOVE not driving to work!
No longer do I have to get up earlier than my husband. The train station is directly on his way to and from work each day, so he is able to drop me off and pick me up. My car will go two weeks sometimes without being driven, hopefully it doesn't feel neglected.
I have decided that the benefits of joining the commute club are endless!
- There is no stress of driving, traffic or bad drivers when I take the train
- Marguerite drops me closer to my building that I could get by driving and parking
- Not having to hunt for a parking space, especially now that there are fewer parking spaces due to the Law School Construction
- There is no more commuting wear and tear on my car
- Getting to spend much more time with my loving husband
- While I am on the train, there is one less car on the road, and fewer gallons of gas being used
Beyond this, there are countless monetary benefits:
- Extra money in my paycheck by joining the Commute Club
- Having a free pass to ride Caltrain
- Not having to buy a parking permit
- Marguerite shuttle for free
Each month that goes by seems to bring a new reason to LOVE the non-driving alternatives promoted by Stanford.
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