High Gas Prices Make Buses & Trains the Best Deal in Two Years

[marmar]

from Treehugger:



High Gas Prices Make Buses & Trains the Best Deal in Two Years
by Jeff Kart, Bay City, Michigan


Driving is hardly any fun any more --- like when you have to fill up, or pass a gas station to see those $3+ a gallon prices. If you're a bus rider, however, your money is being stretched. Of course, if the price of oil continues to climb, you can expect fares to follow suit. A ha, but the American Public Transportation Association has taken that into account, too, since you don't have to park a bus (unless you're the driver).

The transit group noted in a recent statement that U.S gas prices have increased 28 cents since the end of February, for a national average of $3.47 a gallon. At that price, people who bus it, or use commuter rail, are due to save $825 a month ($9,904 annually). That includes the yearly average cost of unreserved downtown parking: $161.56.

These are the highest savings for public transit riders in two years, the APTA said.

Based on this, these are The Top 10 Cities for transit savings, taking ridership, the purchase of a monthly public transit pass and local gas prices into account:

1. New York
2. Boston
3. San Francisco
4. Chicago
5. Seattle
6. Philadelphia
7. Honolulu (really)
8. Los Angeles
9. Minneapolis
10. San Diego.
...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/03/high-gas-prices-libya-buses-trains-apta.php

[AlabamaLibrul]

1. The bus here basically charges as much as / more than gas prices in any car but a Hummer

and has a terrible route with about five stops. It's basically useless if you need to be anywhere at any regular time.

[RandySF]

2. I have not owned a car for five years.

And I don't miss it.

[firehorse]

3. Haven't had a car since 1992

Subway is $100/month for me. When I go out of town, I either take a train, bus or rent a car for the few times a year.

And when its warm out I can ride my bike.