I rely on Public Transportation
No choice, since I can’t drive
As I mentioned in my last article, due to an eye condition I am unable to drive, plus I have no driver’s license anyway.
Thankfully, even though Logansport, Indiana is a relatively small town, they have great public transportation options.
Public Transportation
If you want to rely on public, government provided transportation, there are two options. A paid bus, and a free bus. Both options, in my view, are excellent.
Free Bus
The City operates a free bus. It is completely free to ride.
This bus goes around town to 14 different popular places. You can get on or off the bus at any of these 14 stops. You are not allowed to enter or exit the bus at other places, only at these pre-scheduled stops.
The free bus comes to each stop every 45 minutes.
For me, there is a bus stop 4 blocks from my house. Even on cold snowy days, that is not a problem to walk up there. The buses show up at scheduled times, and they are always exactly on time. So, I know when to make the walk, and get there a few minutes ahead of the bus. it is very convenient.
From there, I can ride anywhere on the route for free.
Paid Bus
The City also operates a paid bus. It is very inexpensive. You pay $2 to go anywhere in the city. You can also buy a pass for 25 rides for $30. That makes your rides $1.20 per ride, anywhere in the city.
The paid bus will pick you up anywhere in the city or drop you off anywhere in the city. We buy the passes, it is cheaper and convenient too. Also, if you pay with cash, you must have exact cash, so having the pass is better.
The nice thing on the paid bus is that it will take you anywhere, not on some pre-determined route. Often, I will walk up and get the free bus to take me where I need to go. On the way home, I will call the paid bus for the ride home since it will stop and drop me right at my front door.
How Many City Buses are there?
Yesterday I was riding the paid bus home from Walmart. I was the only passenger on the bus, so I got into a conversation with the driver. I asked him how many of these buses the city has. I was really shocked when he told me that there are 80 buses! I thought it would be maybe a dozen max. Eighty buses are amazing to me.
Private Transportation Options
In addition to the public transportation, there are some private options too. In addition to riding the City buses, we take advantage of two private options from time to time.
Mom’s Taxi
There is a privately operated taxi service here in Logansport. It is called Mom’s Taxi.
Mom’s will take you anywhere in the City, and the cost is generally low. Most rides are $6 (up to 2 people). Further away places in the city are more, up to $8 or $10, again for up to 2 people. If you have a third person (we often do) they might add a dollar to the price.
When you are somewhere and want to go somewhere else you can just call Mom’s and they will come pick you up and take you to where you want to go. You cannot wave them down or anything, you must call the dispatcher to send a taxi for you.
The problem with Mom’s
I try to avoid using Mom’s (I used to use them frequently), because of one serious issue. They are very slow. The other day we were at Walmart and called Mom’s, it took them 2 hours to get there and pick us up. That is just too long for a 15 minute (or less) ride.
However, the City Buses only run up until 5:30 or 6 PM, so after those hours you pretty much have no other choice. I do try to arrange my schedule, though, so that I don’t have to rely on Mom’s because a wait of 1 to 1 1/2 hours is the norm.
Carpooling
If you work at a major employer, there are a lot of carpools operating. For example, Feyma and Chris work at Tyson. Tyson has about 2,200 employees.
Going into work, they ride the City Bus (paid one, the free one does not go there). They have to arrive at work by 4:30 PM or so.
However, coming home, the City Bus is closed up for the night. They get off work at 1:30 AM. They used to ride Mom’s taxi after work, but now they participate in a carpool after work. They pay $20 per week for being part of the carpool, so cheaper than the taxi.
The options are great
Overall, I would have to say that these options are great. They are convenient. They are cheap (hard to beat FREE). The drivers are friendly.
I can’t complain. I have to say, Logansport is a great community to live in.
Bob your such a good writer I love to read your stuff.your so.knowageable and good advertising
Thank you very much for that, David.
I’m very surprised to learn that a small community has such excellent options. It goes to show there really is no excuse for poor transportation options… even if someone should come and compete with Mom’s. 😉
Indeed. As a matter of fact, the transportation options were one of the factors which caused us to choose Logansport. There were others as well, but that was a consideration.
Bob I must have missed it before. I did not know you had an eye condition. Can it be fixed or is it permanent?
Hi Ron, you must have overlooked it, I’ve written many dozens of times about that. I am hoping my eyes can be fixed, but it’s certainly not a sure thing. We will see what they can do.
All options certainly not are the average 9 php jeepney ride down the main drag. LOL I lived in Houston for a short bit, never got used to the public transport. Always had to plan your day based upon what time transports are available. I am loving the uber system, but can be quite costly. Have a friend who did uber for awhile. Anyways, I am from a very small town and there is absolutely no transportation available. You must own your own vehicle. So when I lived in Houston, I loved that aspect. Freedom to go when and where I want without any plans……as long as there were funds for fuel. hahaha Anyways, I loved the Philippines for that aspect of the transport. It did not matter how small a community you were in, there was always transport available. I do love having the freedom to go and do what I want when I want from owning my own vehicles though. I am sure yall will get back to the point also. I find yalls whole process of “starting over” here because…..well…essentially you are. Interesting journey and adventure
Hi Quentin – We don’t have Uber here, so that is not an option.
For me, even if I buy a vehicle, I can’t drive due to my vision handicap.
We will be buying a vehicle, and Feyma will drive, I hope that I can get my vision back enough to be able to do so as well.
Was wondering if you had Uber or Lyft?
No Uber or Lyft. Just the options that I listed in the article. It is a small town.
I’m in a very small town, one blinking light, one gas station, one party store, farm co op, I haven’t tried to even see if those options are available to me.
I feel they have good public transport options here.
Sounds like you’re adapting well. Small town living in the USA is still a viable option it seems. 😉 Personally I just can’t take that weather any more. Keep on keepin’ on Bob.
Hi Mark. Indeed, not only is small town US living viable, it is great! I like living in a small town. In the Philippines, I lived in one of the biggest cities, but that was necessary to get the things I wanted and needed (especially good internet).
Yeah, small town living in the PI can be …interesting. Interesting is the word I’ll use today. ? I’m thinking about a second home in the US mostly for the kids and wife to get acclimated to life there. It will give them some options when I take my leave of this earthly realm (not soon I hope, lol). How about some updates on real estate, gas prices, interest rates, food prices etc. for those if us currently living abroad? It may prove informative. Take care kaibigan.
Hi Mark. Your plan for a second home sounds like a sound choice. I think it would offer options and flexibility down the road. Good luck!