To not want to give someone a lift to work

[Meandacat]

First, I know IABU, and I don't see how I can get out of this w/o being rude, selfish, not to mention un-environmentally friendly. But still, if anyone can suggest anything...!
I work in a school. I commute 30 mins by car each way every day (motorway). A few weeks ago, I was asked if I'd mind giving a lift to a student teacher on placement who lives nearby. I agreed - it adds about 5-10 mins to my journey so no biggie. She's a nice girl and we get on. She has never offered to pay towards petrol but as she's a student, I've let that go.
Howwver, because of the nature of my job and circumstances at home, my car journey was literally the only "quiet time" I'd get in the day/week, and I'm the kind of person who really needs that space. It has also really hampered the flexibility I enjoyed in terms of when I could leave work...one of the few perks of the job. The way it's working out, I'm ending up leaving when she is ready to leave, and not when I am ready to leave.
Anyway, it was all fine because it was only for a couple of months. Except she's now told me there is every likelihood she might be doing her probation year at my school. My heart sank. She's lovely but I just don't want to give her a lift every day for a year. I want my time/space back. Can I get out of this wo seeming selfish and petty? (Btw, she could get a bus - as I have done when car's been in garage - but stop is a bit of a walk for her and times are admittedly a pain. When I mentioned it before she said it was too expensive when, in fact, it's only a few quid more than I spend on petrol).

OP you are really overthinking this.
The arrangement was for 2 months.
Stick to that and if she gets the placement and asks, just say no, you thought it was for 2 months and don't want to do it any longer.
I cant see the problem

So are you leaving earlier or later than you want to after school?

You're a nicer person than I am. I would never have agreed to that in the first place. You're going to have to grow one if she gets her placement there and tell her the arrangement cannot continue.

Could you just say I can only do mornings as I like the flexibility of when I can leave? Surely when she's full time she'll have to be leaving a lot later anyway.

I have been landed with this a few times over the years. I don't understand how people can accept jobs (even temporary ones) in schools where they know they can't get there under their own steam.

On all three occasions, my "services" were suggested by senior members of staff (oh, just go and ask Miaow, she lives out that way) even though on one occasion the senior MOS lived "out that way" too. Her reason for not offering was that she came in much earlier (hello - so did I).

It is irritating that no recompense has been offered, but in any case, that isn't the deal breaker is it? You just don't want to continue, paid or not. I didn't want to do it and all those I transported were frequently late, either champing at the bit to leave at 3.30 or faffing around until turned 5! It was a complete embuggerance -and a gross impertinence to be put in this position especially by senior staff.

Osirus - £15 per week is very reasonable. Could she not pick you up in winter, or are you out of her way? Or maybe you enjoy the walk!

"If you got your probationary year here, that would be great, because you know the area now, so you'd be able to find somewhere to rent on one of the bus routes."

I'm with everyone else, just say no. One-off lifts when a colleague has particular difficulties for a particular reason like the car being in the garage (or being written off on the way to work - yes, that was me once) - that's fine, simply on account of it being a one-off, and they may well return the favour at some point. It's quite different from an on-going arrangement that inconveniences you every day. OTOH, people generally aren't psychic, and if you've never given any indication it's a problem for you, why would she think it was? People who have never driven don't seem to think about the inconvenience of driving in the same way that drivers do (I was a non-driver for many years.)

OP if you find it difficult to go straight in with "I don 't want to ..." maybe open a general discussion about her future plans/placement, then ask how she'll work out her transport? That way it puts it onto her, and if she says "Oh, I thought you'd still ..." then you can say it won't work long term with your other commitments or whatever

You'd still be saying the same thing of course, but I just thought it might make it a little easier for you?

If you're not a teacher-are you actually working the same hours as her?