Drivers....why do you pick up slugs?

I know, I know.....to drive in the HOV lane, duh! Let me be more specific.

Drivers who pick-up slugs on a DAILY basis as you regular commuting routine, why do you do it?

There are better options out there. Let's say for example that you commute from Fredericksburg daily. That's about 120 miles a day on your car (600 miles a week, 2500 miles a month, 30,000 miles a year). That's filling up your gas tank about 2 times a week. That's paying $200+ parking a month. That means your monthly commute is approx. $425 a month. That amount only takes into consideration parking and gas (gas figured at 2500 miles, 25mpg, $2.25 per gallon). This does not even include how much more often you have to have your car serviced, the massive depreciation your car is taking by putting 30k miles a year on it, higher insurance costs, etc...

I understand why some people prefer not to take the VRE, it takes forever. But why not carpool or vanpool? Both are faster than driving and picking up slugs.

Carpool - Split the cost of commuting 4 ways, you drive every 4th day, you put only 7500 miles on your car a year commuting, pay maybe $50 a month for parking, save a ton in gas money. All in all, you'll probably save about $320 a month...that's almost 4k a year.

Vanpool - You never have to drive, you only put about 25 miles on your car a WEEK if you live close to a commuter lot, pay nothing for parking. Cost is only in the $140-160 range. This could also save you hundreds a month...thousands a year.

So everyday drivers...why do you choose to pick up slugs. Seriously, I'm just curious. There must be a good reason that you don't want to save thousands a year in commuting costs...let's hear it.

Well, as I said, I understand why people pick up slugs occasionally, but I was just referring to people who do it everyday.

Regarding your 3 reasons why other people drive:

- There is a guaranteed ride home program that will get you home for free in case of an emergency
- I drop-off and pick-up kids from day care and still am able to carpool/vanpool, as I said before...it is quicker than picking up slugs. So if you can dropoff/pick up kids at daycare while you drive via slug line...there is no reason why that would prevent you for carpooling/vanpooling
- Even if company paid for parking and gas....that's still 30k miles a year on your car. High maintence costs, car only lasting a few year

None of those reasons seem like a reason to not carpool/vanpool to me.

Anyone else?

My parking is paid for. If it wasn't, I would be a slug myself.

Your making an often false assumption that many of us that drive have to pay to park. I for one either don't have to pay, or it is fully reimbursed as well as alot of my gas money as well.

For me it saves time, and cost no more than VRE or Vanpooling, and I have tried all alternatives.

As I said, even if you don't have to pay to park, you are still spending $225 a month in gas (less if it is also reimbursed), 30k miles a year on your car, paying higher maintenance costs, taking on serious car depreciation, paying higher insurance costs, etc...

And how does picking up slugs save you time over carpooling or vanpooling?