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Mass Transit Helps Households Save Money
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 1:35 PM

 

Despite the fall in fuel prices, people who commute still save hundreds of dollars a year versus those who drive. 

That's according to a report released today by the American PublicTransportation Association (APTA), which stated that a person can obtain an average  savings of $8,368 a year by taking public transit instead of driving.

That figure is based on today's gas prices and the average unreserved parking rate.  APTA calculated the monthly savings for public transit users at $697 a month based on a gas price of $1.727, reported by AAA.The national average for a monthly unreserved parking rate in a downtown business district is $143, according to the 2008 Colliers International Parking Rate Study.   

APTA's analysis shows that the average annual savings represents almost a third more than the average amount a household spends on food every year - $6,111, according to the Food Institute.

Gas prices are $1.378 lower than last year, yet public transit riders still see dramatic economic gains over drivers.

Here's a sampling of how much money residents in the top 10 transit ridership cities can save:

 

Boston             $12.285

New York         $12,258

San Franciso    $11,325

Chicago           $10,456

Philadelphia     $10,171

Seattle            $10,123

Honolulu         $9,933

Wash. DC       $9,371

Minneapolis    $9,135

Cleveland       $9,072

 

In Dallas, which comes in 17th among cities with the most riders, commuters see an average annual savings of  $8,019.

Here in Houston, click here to calculate how much you can save if you ride METRO.

 

 

Posted by Mary Sit
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    • Comments

    Royko said:

    You fail to mention that METREAUX has collected hundreds of dollars in sales tax from every adult in the service area, where the vast majority of them never enjoy being herded like "sheeple" onto the Lee Brown Legacy Boondoggle tram.

    # January 7, 2009 5:08 PM

    Ian Hlavacek said:

    Even if we expanded high quality transit to the majority of people living in the Houston area, I don't think the corresponding tax increase would eat up all those transportation savings ($8,000 in Dallas). And then people would enjoy: no more traffic congestion headaches. A reliable schedule. The ability to read more. Time to take a nap.

    So I think you'll agree with me (heh heh, right) when I say: let's get on with building our light rail network! The sooner we can save all that moolah, the better!

    # January 8, 2009 10:02 AM

    JamesL said:

    Prepare for the "rubber-tired mobility" tantrum...

    # January 8, 2009 11:07 AM

    DominicMazoch said:

    I can go from my house to either Downtown, Med Center/Herman Park, Reliant Park, Galleria....for ?2.50 RT.

    .....now, did anybody noticed the tolls on the toll road went up to $1.50?

    # January 8, 2009 6:16 PM

    DominicMazoch said:

    ......and, I think the Paris Metro uses rubber-tired rail cars.  Mary sit, could you see about this?

    # January 8, 2009 6:19 PM

    Royko said:

    DominicMazoch,

    I rode the Mexico City system back in 1983.  I seem to recall that it used rubber-tired vehicles.

    I choked on the diesel smoke laden smog, and have no desire to return.

    # January 8, 2009 8:52 PM

    DominicMazoch said:

    Royko:

    I thought the DF system did have rubber tires.

    Smog:  Gag--I'm not going back either!

    # January 9, 2009 5:35 AM

    Royko said:

    DominicMazoch,

    Also, the week I was in Mexico City, the banks were nationalized.  What an experience, I was hozed on the credit card, but didn't know until I got the next statement.

    I had long held the position (late 1970's) that if Ford and GM were in financial default our country had bigger problems.

    Well...the world is upside down now.  It's a Socialist-controlled universe,  and it will take a while to convert Americans from cars to CHICOM-built bicycles who will need to rely upon public transit, and possibly reverting to a 3rd-world society.

    Being skinned right now to put some into the game.

    # January 12, 2009 11:40 AM
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