November Transit Savings = $803

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Saving money on transportation is always helpful, especially if we blunt air pollution at the same time. Any time of the year, it’s nice; however, this season it allows for more to spent on the family for the holidays. According to the American Public Transportation Association’s November Transit Savings Report, the average annual savings for public transit riders is now $9,635.

If one is riding public transportation instead of driving and fueling a car, the average savings is $803 per month in the top 20 metro regions of the country. These savings are true for those who do not own and drive a vehicle (or a second vehicle). The savings reflect the cost of commuting by public transportation, on average, so your savings may be higher or lower. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) report is derived from the November 24, 2014 average national gas price ($2.81 per gallon — reported by AAA), the national unreserved monthly parking rate, and other factors.

It bears repeating that this Transit Savings Report (released monthly) continually proves that living with one less car in a two-person household is practical and wise financially. And think of the savings if both commuted by transit or bike and eliminated the automobile altogether!

Here’s more from the APTA November Transit Savings Report:

The national average for a monthly unreserved parking space in a downtown business district is $166.26, according to the 2012 Colliers International Parking Rate study, which is the most recent report available. Over the course of a year, parking costs for a vehicle can amount to an average of $1,995.

The top 20 cities with the highest public transit ridership are ranked in order of their transit savings based on the purchase of a monthly public transit pass. The savings also factor in local gas prices for November 24, 2014 and the local monthly unreserved parking rate.*

 City  Monthly  Annual
1 New York $1,214 $14,574
2 Boston $1,108 $13,298
3 San Francisco $1,059 $12,714
4 Philadelphia $970 $11,640
5 Chicago $961 $11,533
6 Honolulu $956 $11,475
7 Seattle $954 $11,448
8 Los Angeles $898 $10,771
9 San Diego $850 $10,197
10 Portland $845 $10,140
11 Minneapolis $841 $10,093
12 Denver $835 $10,017
13 Baltimore $828 $9,938
14 Washington, DC $811 $9,731
15 Pittsburgh $794 $9,522
16 Cleveland $787 $9,439
17 Miami $760 $9,125
18 Atlanta $758 $9,090
19 Las Vegas $741 $8,890
20 Dallas $741 $8,887

*Based on gasoline prices as reported by AAA on 11/24/14

Take a moment to calculate your own potential savings, with or without car ownership, over at www.publictransportation.org.

Join the growing number of Americans taking multi-modal travel choices, and contribute to the 2.7 billion+ quarterly trips on US public transportation. Choosing commonsense choices for your pocket and the environment also increases personal health through daily activity. Forget the costly gym and walk to the metro. A daily walk or two improves mental acuity and vitalizes the walker. Walking is particularly useful as a daily activity of aging adults and seems to keep cognitive decline at bay.

Reductions in CO2 emissions are, of course, also a result of commuting by transit. Personally wise and environmentally caring — if more commuted by transit, it would positively affect traffic conditions and could likely lead to fewer traffic accidents and lessen fatalities. Mass transit is one of the best options for change.

The Inspired Economist‘s post, “Public transportation & mass transit are keys to smart cities,” encourages this vantage point of travel and mass transit. Check that out for more.

Related Stories:

Zipcar Baltimore Car Share Members Drive Less, Give Up Cars, Use Mass Transit

How Well Does Your City’s Public Transportation Score?

Walkable Neighborhoods Linked To Less Cognitive Decline


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Cynthia Shahan

Cynthia Shahan, started writing after previously doing research and publishing work on natural birth practices. Words can be used improperly depending on the culture you are in. (Several unrelated publications) She has a degree in Education, Anthropology, Creative Writing, and was tutored in Art as a young child thanks to her father the Doctor. Pronouns: She/Her

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