I spent around +70,000 yen on transportation cost alone when I was a ALT.
Took the bus and train due to some schools that were located far away.
You could say "Why didn't you get a car?" or other get a bicycle. Or a part-time job?
Well, considering how much a ALT earns a month and pro-rate summer, winter, and spring vacation it would have been difficult saving each month to own a car or rental car. There's "車検", monthly parking, fuel costs, and other costs having a car. Company didn't allow part-time jobs on the side due to interfering with company work.
As for not having a bicycle, where the schools that were far way, it was dangerous due a lot of factors from people riding bicycles doing whatever they wanted during rush hour (on smartphones, holding umbrellas, and fast mamacharis, before school started. Imagine +20 people riding bicycles towards you in the morning while almost getting hit by traffic and facing a lot of traffic going home. Couldn't ride on the sidewalks when necessary due to potential violations and fines. My safety came first.
Tried walking, but took +2 hours to and from the farther schools. Not going to do that during typhoon season, rainy days, very cold (snow) days, or very hot days let alone wearing a suit (required by the company).
by After_Blueberry_8331