52 Percent of Vacationers Traveling to U.S. Cities This Summer Will Use Local Public Transit Service

[marmar]

from the American Public Transit Association:




Fifty-Two Percent of Vacationers Traveling to U.S. Cities This Summer Will Use Local Public Transit Services
Use of public transportation helps stretch travel budgets


WASHINGTON, DC – As Americans look for ways to cut travel cost this summer, many vacationers seek affordability through the use of a city’s local public transportation system. According to APTA’s Green Travel Forecast, a travel survey released by the American Public Transportation Association, 52 percent of summer vacationers will use local public transportation systems to get around during their trip.

This percentage represents the highest number recorded since the initial survey three years ago (up four percentage points from 2007). Cities are among the top destinations for travelers throughout the summer and, the Green Travel Forecast is the only nationwide travel survey that looks at how travelers will get around once they reach their destination.

Synovate, a leading market research firm, conducted the survey for APTA among 24,711 U.S. adults in April 2010. The survey continues to reflect the growing trend of travelers using public transportation during visits to U.S. cities.

“During these economic times, travelers are looking to save money and reduce their overall travel costs, yet still have the ability to enjoy their trip,” said APTA President William Millar. “Having access to good local public transportation is becoming an essential part of a vacationer’s travel plans because it is an easy way to stretch a travel budget.”

Fifty-one percent say that the availability of a public transit system played a role when choosing their travel destinations, with 28 percent saying it had a strong influence. Slightly over half (52 percent) also said that using public transportation had a strong effect on reducing their total costs of travel.

The following list represents the top ten city destinations with the highest percentage of visitors who will use public transportation during their trip. The number in parentheses notes the percentage of city visitors who will get around using public transportation.

New York City (50 percent)
Boston (46 percent)
Washington, DC (46 percent)
San Francisco (41 percent)
Chicago (39 percent)
Seattle (37 percent)
Philadelphia (36 percent)
Las Vegas (33 percent)
Los Angeles (32 percent)
Atlanta (23 percent)

“With the cost of gas prices, parking, renting a car and multiple cab rides during your city visit, travelers like how easy it is to save money by using the local bus, subway or train,” said Millar. “Travelers also like the fact that using public transportation helps the environment and allows them to keep more green in their wallets.” ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2010/Pages/100528_GreenTravel.aspx

[CBR]

1. We went to San Francisco. Exclusively used public transit

and loved it. Went all over the city. It was so easy -- easier than New York IMO.

[marmar]

2. Yep, because SF is so compact.....Plus transit there is so scenic with the hills and the Bay....

...... and far less hair-raising than driving yourself up and down those steep streets.

[customerserviceguy]

6. The cable cars are a national treasure

Going to SF without riding them would be missing out on a great experience. I remember hanging off the side of one, my butt passing mere inches from the car and passengers coming down the other way, and remarking to my then-wife: "This is the only place where you get to do this, all other public transportation doesn't even tolerate you putting a hand out of the window!"

[Turbineguy]

7. It's cheaper to rent a new car daily

than to take your own car and park overnight in a hotel in downtown SF.

[taterguy]

3. Try getting to Ocracoke without public transportation

[exboyfil]

4. We are going to Oahu

in October, and we plan to use The Bus. $25 for a four day pass that takes you all over the island. Given that it costs $20/day to park a rental car (not to mention the $30/day for the car), it seems to be the best approach. My wife's uncle who always travels in style thinks we are crazy. Frequent Flyer tickets, $74/night with 24 hour cancelation three star hotel 2 blocks from the beach and on the bus route, no expensive luaus or tourist trap thingees, getting our own food and cooking it in the microwave in our room, and just relaxing.

We did the mass transit thing in DC and Boston and had a great time in both locations. Rental cars are a drag especially when you have to pay to park them.

[FirstLight]

5. great idea!

I'm heading to Maui in Oct. too...we will have to check it out, it would be cheaper and if we can find a place to stay near my girlfriend's place, we can just walk or transit where we want to go