Making sense of commute

[ReneeRosie]

I live in the outskirts of a big city, but work in a rural area in the North West.

Travel to work is becoming more and complex, hoping for some advice.

The journey is usually 15 minutes Metrolink to City Centre, train to rural town, and then a thirty minute walk, all in all, maybe an hour and ten/and hour twenty. The same on the way home.

Car failed MOT, fixing it not an option for probably a month, maybe two.

The issue on the way home is that there are only about 4 trains an hour, and this means I can't often leave the town until 40 minutes after work. The long walk can be a pain after work, but a taxi is about a fiver, and also it can be annoying to book and wait, often making me miss the first train.

There are some buses from work, every hour or hour and a half. One bus is at 6pm and the next one is 7.30pm, so if I work until 6pm, the bus is out. If I finish at 5.30, I have to wait at work for half an hour before I can get the bus. The bus is 45 mins and I still need to get a met.

It is taking up to 2 hour some days.

It costs around 15 GBP a day ish.

I work two and half days a week, and earn a wage between 10 and 15 GBP per hour. The job is a means to an end in all honesty, building up experience in this industry, and aiming to move up.

Can anyone think of a better commute or way of travelling that I can't think of? Or any tips on how to make the most of the travel time?

Thanks

Would staying overnight locally save time, money and stress?

Can you buy a cheap bike which you are happy to leave in the train station near your work. This will cute down the 30 minute walking time

12 miles is about an hour on a bike. I bet pi could find some short cuts too, and you’d build in decent exercise to your day.

I think folding bike and discussion about a small change to your hours. Given it is short-term and not permanent.

Tbh as it is a caring role I would be looking for a job more locally, there are loads of jobs out there. I work in care homes, not as a carer and most people live very near to work.

Some great advice here. I was tempted to stay over in cheap accommodation, have done this before for different kinds of work, but it doesn't seem the best option on balance.

The bike feels a good idea, have also spent ages today looking at different trains and stations, I live close to a Uni with trains and good buses, so it might be a good alternative.

Big picture, I will change locations/get car fixed, but for now I need to build up enough experience that I can make that step. Thanks for all advice!

Unless you are a trainee nurse and need to stay within the same home.... I know carer's are trained on the job, so switching to a care home much nearer would be much easier all round.

I'd cycle if it's only 12 miles - with the option of taking public transport if the weather's bad. If you can leave a bike at work securely it gives you more flexibility - cycle there, train home, train back next morning, cycle home etc.

@crimsonlake I am training on the job, so I maybe could change locations soon...I assumed I would have to wait until I was trained more and a bit more experienced, but now I wonder if that's a possibility. Thanks, will look into that more.

What you are paying daily as a commute makes no sense and you need to keep as much of your earnings as possible. How long does your training last, surely no more than a few weeks? There is a shortage of good carers, apply for something much closer to home.