Finding optimal bus+metro combinations to save 90 hours/year
I spend 90 minutes daily commuting to tuition (45 min each way). That's 450 hours per year—almost 19 full days—just sitting on buses. There must be faster routes, but Google Maps only shows 1-2 options. What if I systematically tested ALL possible bus+metro combinations to find the mathematically optimal route?
Mapped all 12 possible routes using bus+metro combinations. Tested each route 5 times at peak hour (5:30 PM), timing every segment. Created weighted scoring formula: Time (60%) + Cost (20%) + Comfort (10%) + Reliability (10%). Winner: Metro → Bus 302 combo saves 18 min daily vs my old direct bus route. That's 90 hours/year I get back—time I now use for reading, homework on metro, and more sleep.
mathematics applied to real life: October 2023 - spent 90 minutes daily commuting to tuition (45 min each way). exhausting. started mapping ALL possible routes: 12 different bus/metro/walk combinations. tested each route 5 times at peak hour (5:30 PM). collected data: time, cost, comfort, reliability. built weighted scoring formula (time 60%, cost 20%, comfort/reliability 20%). optimal route: Bus 201 → Metro. saves 18 minutes daily = 90 hours annually = 3.75 DAYS of my life back. that's pure applied mathematics solving a real problem. shared the analysis with 12 classmates. now we all use optimized routes. this is what math should be—practical, testable, life-improving. 🚌📊
12 routes identified using all bus/metro/walk combinations
Each route tested 5x at peak hour for statistical reliability
Weighted formula balances time, cost, comfort, reliability
Route guide distributed to 12 classmates, collective benefit
Used Google Maps + BEST bus website + Mumbai Metro map. Identified all transfer points between home (Borivali) and tuition (Andheri). Created graph with nodes (stops) and edges (routes). Found 12 viable paths.
Tested each route 5 times over 2 weeks. Always at 5:30 PM (peak hour) for consistency. Timed: wait for bus/metro, travel time, transfer walking time, final approach. Noted: crowding level (1-5), seat availability, delays.
Total Score = (Time × 0.6) + (Cost × 0.2) + (Comfort × 0.1) + (Reliability × 0.1). Normalized all factors to 0-100 scale. Lowest score wins. Metro routes scored high on reliability/comfort despite slightly higher cost.
Used optimal route for 3 months. Tracked actual time savings. Confirmed 18 min average daily savings (range: 12-22 min depending on traffic). ROI: extra ₹10/day pays for itself in productivity and stress reduction.
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