In 17 days, New Yorkers will have to suffer through another fare hike, and straphangers are bound to complain about the 8 percent increases. Little do we realize how, according to one study, we have it good in our car-less lives of subway commutes. Last month, the American Public Transportation Association issued a report claiming that those who eschew automobiles for the pleasures of public transit can save an average of $8000 a year. According to the results of the survey, New Yorkers who use transit have the second highest rate of savings in the country. Our savings come in at $1049 montly and $12,589 annually.
In terms of methodology, the APTA looked at local transit rates for a monthly ride pass and compared the total to gas, parking, insurance and car maintenance costs. When I owned a car, I don’t believe I spent $12,000 on it a year. However, I do not doubt the conclusion that, in urban areas, mass transit commuters maximizing their savings by riding rather than driving.
3 comments
That’s an interesting figure…I wonder if anyone has done a study that also takes into account the cost per person of the transit system? If you’re going to just compare dollars, that would be a relevant number. Of course there are tons of other benefits to transit, tangible and intangible, that are hard to put a precise dollar value on, but like I said, for dollars to dollars comparison it would be interesting to know.
… and the intangible and opportunity costs of roads, car culture, and car pollution on quality of life.
Somehow it seems that a $2.80 of gas will take you farther than most subway trips in less time.
I dream for the day when subways can reach 50 MPH again, and not have their acceleration neutered by the MTA in the name of electrical savings.