You need to travel from your home to a place 40 miles(64km) away. Compare the different kind of transportation you could use. Tell which method of travel you would choose. Give specific reasons for your choice.

From my home to a place 40 miles away is Hukou which is in Hsinchu County. There are many kinds of transportation I could use to get there. I would like to make low-stake decisions on choosing the method because the decision is of consequence and there are plenty of acceptable outcomes.

The first task is to identify options. Available choices include bus, cars, trains and bikes. Cars and bikes are deleted in the beginning. I have the license but have no experience in driving. Even if I find a friend to drive, it involves a hidden obligation. I should pay something for driving and it comes with trouble. Riding a bike takes about four hours, and it also takes time to prepare. Equipment, planning routes and physical strength are necessary. Within my ability, the rest is by train or bus.

Then, compared with the existing choices. Based on reasons of convenience and budget, taking the train would be better. There is no bus from Taipei to Hukou directly, so I need to take the bus to Hsinchu city which is further south then back to Hukou. The bus from Hsinchu city to Hukou runs four times per day. However, if I take trains, it runs three times per hour directly to Hukou. Compared with taking bus which cost more than $100, taking trains costs $89. It’s an economical option.

When it comes to travel, I prefer using less time, money and effort to reach my destination. Taking a train provides flexible travel and less cost. There is no need to do research. Pick up the cell phone, check the timetable then take the train, a journey starts.