The International Schools Review Forum

Just wondering how people commute to work...train? Bus? Bike? Walking? Or do many people have a car? My husband and I were initially under the impression that we wouldn't need a car in Asia, and we're hoping not to get a car to save on expenses, but I'm finding that some schools aren't really within walking distance of public transportation...

Taiwan - Scooter - 100% necessary unless you lived in Taipei.
Korea - Car - 100% necessary if you live in a rural area.
Thailand - tuk/tuk or motorbike. Walking was possible, but you'd end up covered in grime.
Now - I live on a compound so it's a 5 minute walk and the school provides transportation for me to go anywhere else.

Never had a need for a car, except for day trips on the weekend, for which I would rent a car or a scooter.
So far I've been at schools where I walked to school, some where I've biked, and I've also lived in places where I took the bus to school.

Whenever a housing allowance is offered, I do take commuting time into account when I choose where to live.
Either I choose to live near the school, or near a stop for a bus/subway line that will take me straight to (near) the school.
I don't want more than a 30 minute commute, and preferably a lot less.

In some countries owning and maintaining a car is really expensive (Singapore for example), or driving a car is quite risky.
And not owning a car definitely allows you to save more, in my experience.

In some places owning a car make makes a lot of sense, and in some countries it's a good way to explore the country on weekends and breaks, especially if you have a family.

School 1 = 8 minute walk (school provided housing)
School 2 = 10 minute school bus shuttle in year 1 (school housing) and then 45-60 minute school bus shuttle in year 2-3 when we moved into the city center
School 3 = 15 minute walk/5 minute scooter, live near the school in housing of our choice

School 1 - 15 minute walk
School 2 - 25 minute cycle or 20 minute school shuttle bus
School 3 - 15 minute lift with the Principal
School 4 - 35 minute commute by trams, or 35 minute run

What a silly question. Zipline of course!

I met someone who worked in PNG and used to travel between campuses for meetings by helicopter, at least until it was getting shot at just a bit too much...

School 1: bicycle 5min
School 2: walked -10 min
School 3: taxi or bus+school shuttle from bus stop -15 min
School 4: motorbike - 5 min

I’ve never owned a car and never felt the need. I bought a motorbike at my current place, but that’s the first time I’ve owned any type of vehicle in 15 years overseas and it’s cheap. The school does offer a staff bus and taxis and grab bikes are cheap, so it’s not a necessity.

School 1 school bus
School 2 electric scooter
School 3 car
School 4 school bus or taxi ( (if we ever get there)

just.the.truth wrote:
> What a silly question. Zipline of course!

I want to work at your school ! :-)

School 1 - Drove the 15 km down the death highway at 150km an hour to avoid being in accidents (yes in the ME).
School 2 - drove leafy country lanes, small housing residential streets to school
School 3 - Drove again down the highway at 150km/hr
School 4 - walked, bused and drove at different times
School 5 - bus (when arrived) car (after bus became a pain)

Everything from a 30 minute drive each way, in countries requiring two cars per family, to walking 2 minutes across the campus.

Mostly over the years by metro (about 80%, spit about 60% by train,and 20% by bus). A little bit by peddle bike (about 5%), a little bit by small engine scooter (about 5%) and the rest by IS shuttle (10%).

School 1 owned a car, about 15 minute drive
School 2 taxi in the mornings, 10 minutes, school bus in the afternoon (free)
School 3 taxi to and from school 30 minute commute. Cars are very expensive here and the taxes etc. Public transport is good but would take a long time to get to work, over an hour and a half (2 buses and a metro)
At the weekends we take public transport everywhere as it is cheap, reliable and we are usually in no hurry to get anywhere.

I've done:

*My own car (hated it because could not do ANYTHING in that country without a car)
*Metro + ferry across a river + short walk (Fun)
*Uber (fine going to work, but often bad coming back)
*My own motorcycle (Awesome except when it rained...)
*Metro - 2 lines inc. a stressful transfer (fairly awful most days)
*10 - 15 minute walk (Glorious)

My .02c - I will NEVER again work in a location where I am required to own a car due to no other options.