Car Rides vs. Public Transport: Which to Choose?

Senegalese commuters have a lot of transportation options, including trains, buses, and even private trips. But which is the better option for you? While we believe that car rides and public transport all contribute to urban mobility, one can still be better than the other for your specific case. And that’s what we’ll talk about to make your decision easier.

Between car rides and public transport, the former is usually more convenient. It picks you up where you are and takes you right to your destination. This also makes it accessible for those who need specialized assistance, like the elderly.
But remember, car rides and buses may not be available everywhere. So, if either of those options is gone, you may be stuck with the other by default.

One of the biggest public transportation benefits in Senegal is its affordability. Since it takes many people at a time, they can drop the cost lower than what private trips are able to. But as surprising as it may be, taking public transportation may not always be the more budget-friendly option.
For example, let’s say that you need to take two minibuses and a BRT to get to where you want to go. That may close the price difference between car ride and public transport.

A private trip is the best option if you want to save time because:

• It doesn’t need to stop anywhere in the middle of the trip since you’re the only passenger.
• The driver can take alternative routes in case the more common routes are congested.
• It goes straight to your destination instead of following a pre-set route.

In terms of speediness, the only possible exceptions here are trains and BRT, since these don’t need to use roads. So, no matter how bad the traffic may be, they can still operate at the same speed.

Choosing a private trip makes more sense if you’re after comfort and privacy. This is because you get all these things:

• More space. You don’t need to share the seat beside you since it’s a private ride.
• More peaceful environment. The demand for Senegalese public transport vehicles can be too high. But when you’re on an unshared vehicle, you don’t have to deal with the crowd.
• Customized experience. You can recline your seat or ask the driver to turn up the AC if you want to.

The differences between the experiences of using car rides and public transportation are even more obvious during rush hours.

Senegal’s public transportation is generally considered more sustainable because it transports more people at a time. This means lower carbon emissions per person.
However, many private vehicle rides are also trying to reduce their environmental impact. By switching to hybrids, they’re reducing the reliance on gasoline and diesel.

Looking at car rides and metro transit vehicles, the latter may be considered safer because of predictable routes. And since there are other people on it, a violent crime may be less likely to happen.
But if you want to drop the odds of being a victim of pickpocketing down to zero, then a car ride is the safer option. And since it takes you right to your destination, you don’t have to walk after dropping off the bus.

What type of traveler you are may also have a say on whether car rides or the metro’s public transportation will benefit you more:

• Tourist. Assuming that there’s limited knowledge of the area, private trips may be a better choice. This lets you maximize your time in Senegal’s tourist attractions too since it gets you to your destination the fastest way possible.
• Local traveler. You’re most likely familiar with the many ways to get around a Senegalese city, so we recommend just taking the bus. But if you’re in a hurry, taking a car ride instead of a bus is usually the better move.
• Business professional. YHere, travel expenses are usually shouldered by the company. So, it makes sense to go with the most convenient option.

But remember that when assessing what your best choice is, look at the options that are available to you. For example, if either car ride or metro transit options are not available for your destination, then you’ll have to use what’s left.

Car rides and buses (plus other public transportation modes) can both be good options for you. It just depends on your priorities, like costs, efficiency, comfort, and environmental impact. If you’re willing to assume a fairly high cost, public rides are usually the more suitable choice. But to find out which will be the better transportation option for you, we recommend evaluating them using the same criteria.