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Getting Around: Transportation In The USAby Oliver OzielSince the 1800's, when a vast network of railroads were laid to connect the United States from coast to coast, the transport of items (and people) has been a priority on our country. Today, there are well maintained Interstate Highways that run from state to state, and a person can drive continuously from coast to coast, or from Canada and Mexico, and to most locations in between. State roads are also maintained and connect smaller towns and cities to the Interstate Highways (think of it as a huge web, with the Interstate highways the main strands, and the state highways the smaller, interconnecting ones). Local farm roads or county roads fill in the network at the rural level. And Americans do use these roads, as they travel to work, on vacation, to visit family and friends, or for leisure time activities. In fact, it may seem in some large cities that people are always driving somewhere, and the major roads are literally packed with people during "rush hour" (the morning and evening hours when most people are going to and then returning from work). Public Transportation Most large cities will have some form of public transportation or transit, such as bus lines, subways, or commuter trains. For instance, in New York city and the suburbs of Washington, DC, many people take commuter trains and subway trains (underground trains) from the outlying regions into the city to work during the day, then return on the train in the evening. There is often parking at the station in the outlying city or town, and people will go to their car from the train station and drive home. All major cities have some form of bus transportations. Typically, these routes will be differentiated by color code (such as a "blue" or "green" route, for example) and by route numbers. A "blue 10" route may be different from a "green 10 route". It is important to check a bus schedule that will tell you the times that the buses come to the terminals or to the bus stops (small covered benches at the side of the street along the route). Many buses will stop at a bus stop every ten or fifteen minutes, but they may be going different routes, which is why checking the number (and color) is important. Soon you will be able to memorize a route and schedule that you use frequently, and will know that the 8:10 am blue bus with the number 15 is the one that goes near your work. Air Travel Some people travel by airplane for business reasons: for instance, if an important business meeting or conference is in another state, then your business may pay for you to fly there. Often your work will make the arrangements. If you are flying for private reasons, you can contact an airline agency directly, or a local travel agent to help with making a reservation. Normally once reservations are made, they cannot be changed without paying a fee or percent of the original fare. Sometimes certain days of the week and/or certain times of day will have lower fares than others, so be sure to compare rates for different flights to the same destination. Prices may also vary between airlines. And normally the further ahead a flight is booked, the cheaper it is. Increased security at airports has been a topic in recent news, and if you choose to fly, you will need to have your luggage and carry bags x-rayed and checked before traveling at security points near the entrances to departure gates. Carpools You may choose to carpool to work with others. In carpools, people take turns driving, and usually several people go in one automobile to save on gas (and to cut down on pollution). One advantage of carpooling in some large cities is that there are special carpool lanes that you can use when driving if there are two or more passengers in the car. These lanes often move more quickly than the normal lanes during rush hour. Getting a Driver's License You may want to be able to drive yourself. First you will need a driver's license, which is issued by the state that you live in. Normally a department of motor vehicles or department of public safety which is state regulated will do the testing and issuing of licenses. In the United States, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle without first obtaining a valid driver's license. This driver's license is also an important identification document, and it will have a small photo of you on it, as well as information such as your height, weight, hair and eye color, and your address. Businesses may ask to see your driver's license when cashing a check, for proof of age if you are buying cigarettes or alcohol, when renting a car, or other situations that require identification. You can also obtain a state identification card if you want a photo ID. but do not plan to drive. You will not have to pass a driver's test to get an ID. card. Some states may allow you to drive temporarily on your driver's license from your native country, but this policy varies from state to state, so it is important to call your local licensing office and check. To get a driver's license, you will need to provide two forms of documentation (which must be certified copies or originals) that prove your identity and date of birth. Normally birth certificates and passports, as well as former driver's licenses are acceptable. You will need to pass a written driver's test. Most Departments of Motor Vehicles will have free booklets that you can take home and study for the test with. You can take the test again if you don't pass the first time after a period of time passes. You will also have to pass a simple eye exam. If you wear glasses or contacts, you must wear them during the test and any time that you are driving a vehicle (your driver's license will also note that you wear corrective lenses). You may be asked to pass a behind-the-wheel driving exam. With this test, you will be driving a vehicle with an examiner who will be observing how well you obey traffic laws as you drive with him. You may be asked to start, stop, park your car, go into a street, make turns, and even go onto a major highway, then return to the testing station. Your picture will be taken, and your thumbprint will be obtained as well. You will be asked to use your legal signature when signing the license application forms. There are fees that are collected for these exams and for your driver's license which cover the costs of personnel and services offered by the test licensing office. You may be asked to give up your old driver's license, and may be issued a temporary license that will allow you to drive until your permanent one is mailed to you. Driver's licenses must be renewed at regular intervals (this can vary from four to six years in different states). Be sure to check when the expiration date for yours is. You must also ask for a new license if you move, if your name changes (such as through marriage). You should carry your license with you at all times while driving. Buying or Leasing a Car Eventually you may want to have your own car to drive. Either leasing a car or buying one are options to consider. One advantage of leasing a car is that the monthly lease payment is usually less than the loan payment on a purchase, since you are only paying for the amount of depreciation on the car, along with rental fees and taxes. Leasing a Car If you decide to lease a car, you are making monthly payments on it for the privilege of driving the vehicle. Normally leases will have time limits on them, such as a year, two years, or four years. Once the end of the lease term occurs, the leasing agreement must be renewed or the car returned and certain fees paid. You may be offered the option of buying the car once the lease is finished. Most leases will have a limit on the number of miles that can be put on it per month, but this mileage limit can be increased if you are willing to pay a higher monthly rate on the lease. When you lease a car, you will be expected to pay certain fees at the time of beginning the lease, including a security deposit, registration costs, taxes, and even a small down payment. Certain dealerships may also have other charges. If you decide to stop leasing before your contracted term is completed, then you may have to pay termination charges to end the lease. If the vehicle that you lease has an unusual amount of wear or damage to it, you will also have to pay charges when it is returned. Another advantage of leasing is that at the end of the contract term, you do not have to worry about selling or trading in the vehicle. You can enter a new lease on a different vehicle, or choose to buy your own. But you are also not building up equity in a vehicle that can be traded in towards the purchase of a new one. Buying a Car There are two types of car purchases that can be made: either a new car (which will carry a warranty on services, but which will be more expensive) or a used car (which is less expensive but may have problems and usually is not covered under warranty). You can pay the full purchase price at the time of the sale, or choose to have your car financed by a bank or financial institution, which will mean making monthly payments until the loan is paid off. Used Car Buying Tips
Financing a Car Many dealers will finance a car for you, but they may also charge high interest rates. You may want to go to your bank or credit union, and see whether you can get a better rate through them. The more cash you pay for your car, the lower the interest rates will normally be. The bank that extends you the car loan will view your car as collateral, and if you start missing payments, they can repossess the car (and resell it to regain the price of the loan). Most banks will give loans that can run up to three years for buying a vehicle, and you will want to check around for the lowest interest rates on a car loan.
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