Pittsburgh, PA – Despite declining gas prices, a Port Authority rider can still achieve an average annual savings of $7,807 per year by taking public transit instead of driving based on today’s gas prices and the average unreserved parking rate according to the American Public Transportation’s “Transit Savings Report.” The report is a monthly analysis that shows the annual savings represents more than the average amount a household pays for food in a year, according to the Food Institute ($6,111).
APTA’s monthly “Transit Savings Report” shows how much a person can save on a monthly and yearly basis by taking public transit and living with one less car in his or her household. The report reminds commuters that taking public transit is the quickest way to save money from the high cost of commuting.
This month’s Analysis also includes the cost of parking. On average, according to the 2008 Colliers International Parking Rate Study, the national average for the monthly unreserved parking rate in a city’s downtown business district is $143. Over the course of a year, parking costs alone can amount to an average of $1,720.
In addition to the annual savings, the report calculates the monthly savings for Port Authority users at $651 per month based on today’s local average gas price of $3.63 per gallon as reported by AAA.
To calculate your individual savings with or without car ownership, go to www.publictransportation.org.