Here in the foothills and Sacramento, the local bus is almost close enough for me to walk but having chronic pain makes the more than 1/4 mile walk extremely painful. So I drive. If the stop was two blocks closer I'd take the bus. It's certainly cheaper. It only costs around $125.00 a month. Parking and gas are easily double that.
One more thing, in order to get into the HOV lane you need a total of two occupants. They should change the law so both occupants must have a driver's license, otherwise, having an infant in the passenger seat doesn't get a car off of the road.
I know what you mean about the pain.
Have had over 8 major orthopedic surgeries, neuro surgery, cancer surgery, and live with pain 24/7
I ret. a little early a few yrs. ago.
I walk an ave. of 2 miles + a day.