Sustainability tips
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Sustainability means energy and resource use that meets the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations. Here are some transport tips to save money and time, improve your health... and get from A to B.
Walk or cycle short journeys
Stan flats close to town. He sold his car for $2,000, saving another $1,000 on licences, WOFs, insurance, depreciation, repairs and maintenance. He spends the $1,000 saving on a bike for commuting to work and the other $2,000 on camping gear and car rental for every long weekend from Wellington Anniversary weekend until Christmas.
Take public transport
Jack’s half-hour train ride to work from Manor Park to Wellington means he’ll have 229 extra reading/relaxing/listening-to-music hours this year (based on 229 days worked).
Use a walking school bus
Aroha walks her kids to school on Wednesdays to teach them road sense. The half-hour walk with three roads to cross means she’ll have shown them how to safely cross the road 123 times and gained 20 hours of extra exercise and time with her kids by Christmas.
Carpool with friends or colleagues
Kelly’s carpool to work with two friends from Porirua to Lower Hutt will save her $1,380 this year. The carpoolers pay $15 each, saving Kelly $30 per week. (Based on 20 cents/km operating costs for a two-litre vehicle, 22km one way trip and 229 days worked).
Sustainability tips: www.bethedifference.gw.govt.nz
Regional travel plan programme: www.gw.govt.nz/travelplans