Washington, DC – Individuals who ride public transportation can save on average $9,330 annually based on the June 16, 2010 national average gas price and the national unreserved monthly parking rate. On a per month basis, transit riders can save on average $778 per month. Along with higher gas prices compared to this time last year, transit riders save approximately $300 in commuting costs annually.
Many will reap the savings benefit with more than 120 public transportation systems participating in the National Dump the Pump Day activities on June 17. Individuals across the country will “Dump the Pump” and ride public transportation on the 5th annual National Dump the Pump Day. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), which is partnering with the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Sierra Club this year, the National Dump the Pump Day is a public awareness day that highlights the benefits of public transportation, two of which are saving money and promoting energy independence. Get more information on the 5th annual National Dump the Pump Day.
Taking public transportation provides a safe and affordable way for individuals and families to cut costs, according to APTA. In addition, local public transit offers a travel option that has an immediate positive impact in reducing an individual’s overall carbon footprint while helping reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
“The Transit Savings Report” released monthly by the American Public Transportation Association calculates the average annual and monthly savings for public transit users. The report examines how an individual in a two-person household can save money by taking public transportation and living with one less car.
The savings amount is based on the cost of the national averages for parking and driving, as well as the June 16 national average gas price of $2.70 per gallon for self-serve regular gasoline as reported by AAA.
The national average for a monthly unreserved parking space in a downtown business district is $154.23, according to the 2009 Colliers International Parking Rate Study. Over the course of a year, parking costs for a vehicle can amount to an average of $1,850.
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 June 16, 2010 and the local monthly unreserved parking rate.*
Top Twenty Cities - Transit Savings Report
| Rank |
City |
Monthly Savings |
Annual Savings |
| 1 |
New York |
$1,159 |
$13,906 |
| 2 |
Boston |
$1,040 |
$12,481 |
| 3 |
San Francisco |
$1,026 |
$12,309 |
| 4 |
Chicago |
$955 |
$11,463 |
| 5 |
Seattle |
$946 |
$11,346 |
| 6 |
Philadelphia |
$934 |
$11,203 |
| 7 |
Honolulu |
$902 |
$10,824 |
| 8 |
Los Angeles |
$847 |
$10,163 |
| 9 |
San Diego |
$834 |
$10,009 |
| 10 |
Minneapolis |
$828 |
$9,938 |
| 11 |
Portland |
$811 |
$9,736 |
| 12 |
Denver |
$811 |
$9,727 |
| 13 |
Cleveland |
$808 |
$9,701 |
| 14 |
Baltimore |
$789 |
$9,465 |
| 15 |
Washington, DC |
$759 |
$9,107 |
| 16 |
Miami |
$756 |
$9,067 |
| 17 |
Dallas |
$736 |
$8,834 |
| 18 |
Las Vegas |
$726 |
$8,712 |
| 19 |
Atlanta |
$725 |
$8,694 |
| 20 |
Pittsburgh |
$685 |
$8,218 |
*Based on gasoline prices as reported by AAA on 6/16/10.
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 June 16 at $2.70 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 a two-person household lives with one less car.
In determining the cost of parking, APTA uses the data from the 2009 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.
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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 public and private member organizations, engaged in the areas of bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne passenger services, and high-speed rail. This includes: transit systems; planning, design, construction, and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; transit associations and state departments of transportation. More than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA member systems.