Lack of Public Transportation
Having a backup plan (and a hefty emergency fund) during economic uncertainty is essential. Learning that spontaneity in this economy in regards to your career is foolish. I recently applied to the University of Pittsburgh and moved to a new location. Hoping to begin university in the fall of 2012, I rushed my admissions and lease along. But to my utter misfortune, the local public transportation company is possibly going to cut many of their bus lines, mine being one of them. How was I going to get to work not to mention school? Biking wasn’t a viable option for one who lives on a mountain. I could picture almost certain death as I careened down the winding mountain road that my home was situated upon. Simple solution says to get a car. Truthfully, who really has that kind of money in these times? I don’t even have a license. Questions flashed through my mind about the year lease I signed and my continuing education plans. What was going to happen? Would I have to break my lease and move? The carefully paved path of my life was beginning to crumble because of one overlooked component; the matter of transportation. If only I had known the trouble of being dependent on a transportation company was to give me. I would have at least moved to a flat part of town.
The trouble with hindsight is that it is too late to change the decisions made. Lacking funds and time, my only option is to hold out hope that the state will bail out the bus company. My hopes aren’t too high especially with money being so tight. In times of economic insecurity I can expect with a degree of certainty soaring gas prices, high priced foodstuffs, and tax increases but I never expected for there to be a lack of reliable public transportation in a major city. This was beyond unforeseen for me; it wasn’t even in my thought range. I wish I had a backup plan or at least a friend who lives nearby with a car.
Backup plans made in the heat of a crisis while sometimes a solution is never the proper cure. Real plans made for the ‘what if’ moments that has thought and time placed into them are the real cures. If properly planned, one can be ready for any disaster. My lack of foresight has left me in a difficult position. Stuck is where I am. Not sure which way the balance is going to tip: bus or no bus. My on the spot solution, really the only viable and cost friendly one, was to apply for online classes at the local community college. I am able to save a significant amount of money and still go to college. But being so late to register for classes I was stuck with the “abandoned” courses like online math. We’ll see how that one goes (pray for me).
