Name: Chris Karnes
Occupation: Software developer
Employer: Accumula Labs
Gets around by: bus, bike, walking, and rideshare
Where do you live and where do you work? Live on Hilltop, work in Downtown Tacoma
How do you get there? I get to work by every mode but driving alone.
How does it all add up? How much money or time do you save? I don’t own a car, so I have avoided car payments, parking, insurance, gas, and repairs. It’s allowed me to payoff student loans, purchase my own home, and work at the job that I want.
What’s in it for you? Each morning I get a few thousand steps of walking just by getting to the bus stop. It helps me stay healthy with a job where I sit in front of a computer most of the day. On really nice days, I get to walk through Wright Park or stop for a coffee at a cafe.
Do you have any tips for people who may be trying these modes for the first time? A little planning goes a long way. Make sure you have your ORCA card loaded and ready to go when you board the bus. A pro tip is to have OneBusAway loaded on to your smartphone. This app will let you know when your bus will arrive. I set an alert 10 minutes prior to when the bus is supposed to get to my stop so I have enough time to walk there at a leisurely pace. Also, make sure you’re comfortable on your trip by bringing a bottle of water with you if it’s going to be warm out or an umbrella if it is going to rain.