Rich Minx

Being back in New Zealand means it’s necessary for me to drive again. I’m currently in Auckland, the biggest city, and the public transport is terrible. Sorry, Auckland, but you know it’s true.

I do feel a little guilty driving; after all, it’s not helping our ailing environment.  But let’s stop for a minute and consider the alternatives.

• Buses. There are many smoke-belching buses but they never show up on time and seem to be permanently filled with angry people.
• Trains. There’s a vague train system but it doesn’t cover the center properly, and no subway or trams.
• Cycling. Bike riding comes at your own risk as drivers have no idea how to deal with a cyclist and there are no friendly bike lanes.
• Walking. Auckland is one of the most spread-out cities on the planet, so walking is generally out unless you have 5 hours to spare and sturdy Hobbit feet. Yes, Frodo walked across New Zealand/Middle Earth with the ring but only because cars hadn’t been invented.

So a car it is.
But cars are expensive. A carful of gas/petrol here is US $50 although suburbanites seem to love their SUVs, so it’s often more. Car maintenance is more, insurance is more, and replacing tires after hours of midnight drag-racing is more still.

There are some good tips online about how to be more economical with fuel, but basically I find cars a pain in the fender. They smell, they’re expensive, they break down and they get you stuck in non-events called ‘traffic jams’.

Your thoughts?

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