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** Disclaimer – I’m probably a lot crazier than most people as I tend to walk/bike all over the place and distances don’t really phase me.  As such, many things I find common and easy to do could very likely be tough and inconvenient for others.  This is clearly not a “how to” for going car-less but rather “how I” manage to do it .**

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So the whole week I brainstormed for Christmas gift ideas and prepared my list.  I had set aside Saturday for shopping realizing that taking the bus will be a little less convenient than a car.  I had several stops to make that took me to Victoriaville mall, Intercity, Thunder Centre, and then back home (in the North end).  As I haven’t had to take the bus for work yet I’m not overly familiar with bus routes in my area.  I checked the bus maps available online  and figured out my route.  I decided I’d like to get going as soon as possible and since I would also be doing some walking I grabbed my warm clothes, backpack and 2 bags to carry everything.  Headed out at 8:55 am and walked to the bus stop I needed.  I caught the bus around 9:07 am and headed down to the Water Street Station where I transferred to the mainline and headed to City Hall.

I arrived at Victoriaville around 9:50 (ok not bad only a 40 minute bus ride).  I picked up what I needed at Vickiville and checked the time.  Hmm next bus to Intercity was in 15 minutes, I hate waiting so I decided to walk there.  I headed out into the cold and marched my way to Intercity.  Needing an energy boost I stopped into the farmer’s market and enjoyed a delicious cinnamon bun (that made the trip worth it).  From there I continued on to Intercity.  Now some of my purchases there were a bit bulky and I soon realized that without a car in which to make regular deposits of my purchases,  I’d have to carry them from store to store.  I was starting to look like the picture above (minus the heels and long hair) balancing gifts as I carefully navigated my way around the mall.

I took a break in Intercity to enjoy the warmth and free internet as I double checked bus schedules.  With a full backpack and a parcel in one hand I headed across the street to the Thunder Centre.  Now one thing I didn’t expect was the requirement to unload my parcels and backpack at customer service before I was allowed into some stores.  This started to become a hassle as I end up waiting in line to make my purchase then waiting in line to have my gear returned to me.  I also had to ensure I had my receipts in order as some stores potentially carried the same items I had already purchased.  By the time I hit the last store I was starting to feel a bit bogged down.  My backpack was quite full and the parcel in my hands wasn’t getting any lighter or less bulky and I still planned on adding one more thing.  I checked the time and it was 12:15, ok not bad 2 hours of shopping so far and one stop remaining.  I visit the last store and great, they’re out of what I want (should have known) but they recommend trying their other location on the far side of town....yeah that’s not going to happen.  So I gather up everything I was carrying and headed to the bus stop ready to go home.

As I’m walking there I see 2 buses go by the bus stop and I start thinking ‘great, now I have 15 minute wait in the cold for the next bus’.  But luck was on my side, within 2 minutes a 3rd bus passed the stop and picked me up heading north back to the Water Street Station.  I sat down on the bus taking up 2 seats and more with my load.  Took the transfer at the station to the bus going home and arrived home at 1:30.  Ok so round trip was 4.5 hours, didn’t have to put up with parking but had to walk about 3 km, catch 4 buses in total, drag everything I had store to store and didn’t get everything I wanted.  Since I used a bus punch card and transfers the whole trip only cost $3 which beats $30 for a taxi.  Total distance travelled was approx. 18 km and with my car I used to have I averaged about 12.5 km/L in the city and at current prices that’s ~$1.75.  This is just comparing the gas—I’m sure car payments, insurance and maintenance would put the trip over $3.  So maybe my trip didn’t “suck” as much as I thought.  With a few gifts on my list still outstanding, I may just wait for another weekend or shop online.

Until next time!

Deke

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Page last updated on Wednesday, March 02, 2011