Save $9,656 a Year, Ride Public Transit

Well, that’s how much you’ll save if you’re the average American. Could be a little less or a little more depending on where you live. The point of the matter is, however, you can save a ton by riding your local public transit. (I would also note that you can use your time on transit more effectively than you can while driving and there is a financial benefit to that as well. That’s not taken into account in this report.)

Here’s more from the American Public Transportation Association:

Washington, DC- 2011 begins with rising gas prices and predictions they will go even higher as we move further into the new year. These predictions coupled with the release of The American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) monthly “Transit Savings Report” highlight the increasing benefits of switching from driving to riding public transportation. The report notes that riding public transportation saves individuals, on average $9,656 annually, and up to $805 per month based on the January 5, 2011 average national gas price ($3.08 per gallon-reported by AAA) and the national unreserved monthly parking rate.

Gas prices are at their highest level since October 2008, and $.32 higher than the same time last year providing riders an additional annual savings of more than $400. Riding public transportation is a proven way for individuals to cut monthly and yearly transportation costs, while also reducing their carbon footprint.

APTA releases this monthly “Transit Savings Report” to examine how an individual in a two-person household can save money by taking public transportation and living with one less car.

The national average for a monthly unreserved parking space in a downtown business district is $161.56, according to the 2010 Colliers International Parking Rate Study.  Over the course of a year, parking costs for a vehicle can amount to an average of $1,939.

The top 20 cities with the highest transit ridership are ranked in order of their transit savings based on the purchase of a monthly public transit pass and factoring in local gas prices for December 7, 2010 and the local monthly unreserved parking rate.*

Top Twenty Cutues – Transit Savings Report

	City	Monthly Savings	Annual Savings
1	New York	$1,180	$14,159
2	Boston	$1,083	$12,993
3	San Francisco	$1,061	$12,738
4	Chicago	$972	$11,660
5	Seattle	$952	$11,427
6	Philadelphia	$942	$11,305
7	Honolulu	$922	$11,063
8	Los Angeles	$866	$10,395
9	Minneapolis	$848	$10,180
10	San Diego	$839	$10,074
11	Portland	$827	$9,926
12	Denver	$821	$9,854
13	Baltimore	$810	$9,726
14	Washington, DC	$809	$9,709
15	Cleveland	$805	$9,663
16	Miami	$792	$9,502
17	Pittsburgh	$763	$9,159
18	Dallas	$751	$9,015
19	Atlanta	$751	$9,011
20	Las Vegas	$740	$8,877

*Based on gasoline prices as reported by AAA on 1/05/11.

Methodology

APTA calculates the average cost of taking public transit by determining the average monthly transit pass of local public transit agencies across the country.  This information is based on the annual APTA fare collection survey and is weighted based on ridership (unlinked passenger trips).  The assumption is that a person making a switch to public transportation would likely purchase an unlimited pass on the local transit agency, typically available on a monthly basis.

APTA then compares the average monthly transit fare to the average cost of driving.  The cost of driving is calculated using the 2010 AAA average cost of driving formula.  AAA cost of driving formula is based on variable costs and fixed costs.  The variable costs include the cost of gas, maintenance and tires.  The fixed costs include insurance, license registration, depreciation and finance charges.  The comparison also uses the average mileage of a mid-size auto at 23.4 miles per gallon and the price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline as recorded by AAA on January 5, 2011 at $3.08 per gallon.  The analysis also assumes that a person will drive an average of 15,000 miles per year.  The savings assume a person in two-person household lives with one less car.

In determining the cost of parking, APTA uses the data from the 2010 Colliers International Parking Rate Study for monthly unreserved parking rates for the United States.

To calculate your individual savings with or without car ownership, go to www.publictransportation.org.

Photo Credit: LA Ward