Read on to know a comparison between commuting or riding your car during Christmas rush

A heavy load of traffic and jammed-packed malls are the most common things we experience during the Christmas rush. It happens almost every year. Filipinos are known to be carefree then cram on the last minute. Just like during Christmas. We have a lot of time for the whole month, even in the previous months, but we still choose to shop when the celebration is nearing.

That particular Filipino habit plus the Christmas bonuses and 13^th-month pay that every Filipino employee receive during this time is the main reason for the holiday rush. The most frustrating part is the loaded malls and slow moving, heavy traffic. Some people will think which is better; to commute or to bring your own car?

If you’re one of those people who can’t decide, we got you. This article from Philcarnews.com will highlight the pros and cons of each side. In that way, you can weigh which is the better option.

Let’s start with the perks of commuting on the busy roads of the Philippines. Commuting in this country has a fair share of advantages and disadvantages, and they are as follows:

I. Advantage of Commuting

1.1. Fare is cheap

Every commuter will know that public transportation, such as jeep, bus, and train fares allow you to save more than having to gas up a vehicle, especially that the price of fuel is continuously increasing. Many Filipinos are practical. They choose the best option where they can save more.

Fares on public transportation is cheaper than gassing up your vehicle for a single ride

1.2. You don’t have to worry about your gas

Driving while stuck in the middle of heavy traffic is not only exhausting and frustrating but also costly – in your gas! Frequent accelerating and braking require more gas than normal speed driving. Heavy traffic means more fuel consumption. This frequent starts and stops do not only consume more fuel but can also affect and damage the car’s battery.  

1.3. Commuting promotes physical exercise

Commuting requires more walking and physical activity that is beneficial for the body. It can be a form of exercise that is good for the heart and improves cardio health.

II. Disadvantage of Commuting

1. Not ideal when carrying too many kinds of stuff

Every Filipino once experience carrying too many kinds of stuff while commuting, and that is one of the most inconvenient experiences ever! The hassle of carrying too many plastics or shopping bags, transferring from one place to another, and ride to different public transportations (that are often too crowded especially this season), summarize the commuting experience during the holiday rush.

Carrying too many stuff is not ideal when taking the public transportation

2. Safety

Crowded places and transportations are prone to thieves and pick-pocketers. They use this time and situation to take advantage of all the busy and exhausted commuters. They also know that during this time of the year, people have more money to spend, and that is what they want to have too. So being crowded transportation does not ensure your safety.

3. Exhausting

Let’s admit it. Commuting, especially during Christmas rush is tiring and exhausting. All that shopping and jam-packed mall, plus the crowded public transport will surely exhaust you. Commuting is not really a smart option, especially during the Christmas rush.

Commuting is undeniably exhausting and tiring

4. How about bringing your own car during Christmas rush?

Let us now find out if bringing your car is ideal during the Holiday rush. Just like all the other things in the world, bringing your own car during this time pros and cons.

III. Advantages of bringing your own car

1. Ease of choosing your route

During Christmas, the MMDA readily provide alternate routes for motorists who wish to avoid the heavy traffic. You as a driver can freely choose of which route you want to take. You don’t also have to worry about losing a comfortable seat in the public transport or not being able to hail an available taxi or grab. You can freely roam around any time of the day.

2. You can bring lots of stuff with ease

You don’t have to worry about getting into crowded public transportations with lots of stuff. You have lots of storage in your car’s trunk and back seat. You can easily put them in there and drive freely and with ease.

Bringing lots of stuff will be ease if you bring your car

3. You can assure your safety

You can assure that all the stuff you brought will be safe from petty thieves. You will also be free from pick-pocketers who take advantage of the busy and exhausted commuters from crowded public transport.

IV. Disadvantages of bringing your own car

1. Costly in Fuel Consumption

We all know that heavy traffic during Christmas rush can last for hours. That is actually costly because it consumes more gas than driving at an average speed. This is one of the major disadvantages of bringing your car because traffic is unavoidable when it’s Christmas season.

2. Problem with finding a parking slot

Because it’s Christmas rush, there will be as many motorists as Christmas shoppers. And finding a parking space will be one of the problems you’ll be facing as a driver. Looking for a parking space may seem like a competition for motorists in the Holiday rush. So, it is better to be early to find a parking lot with available spaces.

One of the major problems that motorists will encounter during the Christmas rush is finding a parking space for your vehicle

3. Heavy traffic is frustrating

Traffic is really frustrating. Everyday, we hear about it and it also seems to be a part of the everyday life of commuters and motorist. But even if we encounter traffic every day, we still can’t get used to it. It still frustrates and annoy us every single day. What more if it’s the Holiday season? During this time, regular traffic was doubled and even tripled. And that means the level of frustration you’ll likely to experience will be at its highest level.

Whatever choice you want to take, be it to commute or ride your car, there will always be an advantage and disadvantage on both sides. This article highlights the pros and cons of each option. This will help you look for the best choice when its Christmas rush. The best thing to do is to avoid Christmas rush if possible. Shop as early as possible so that you can have more items to choose from, lesser traffic, lesser crowd, and safer travel.

>>> Click to get more helpful tips and advice for all car owners