Public Transportation Savings [Infographic]

According to a study by AAA, the cost of owning and operating a car for one year is about $8,946, on average. Over a few years, that’s quite a chunk of change. Over the course of five years, that’s nearly $45,000. Additionally, according to RITA Bureau of Transportation’s statistics on average fuel efficiency and distance traveled to work (10 miles each way), the average daily work commute costs about $2.25 each way in a car compared to $1.02 for the average public transit fare—nearly half price.

The cost savings alone could justify using public transit, not to mention the health benefits. APTA claims public transportation offers cleaner air with 95% less carbon monoxide and nearly 50% less carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide per passenger mile than a private vehicle does.

Take a look at some additional statistics from the FTA.

Average time most Americans spend walking each day: 6 minutes
Average time most transit users spend walking each day: 19 minutes
Light rail users are 80% less likely to become obese over time
Public transit related injuries are approximately 1/25 of that associated with automobiles
150 million Americans live in areas where air quality does not meet national standards
Motor vehicle emissions account for 25%–51% of air pollutants in these areas

The ultimate question, however, is: “Is public transit right for you?” Investigate the options and costs in your area. Do they offer convenient, flexible routes and times that accommodate the start and end of your work day? Can you carpool with friends or relatives? Is the bus stop or rail station within walking distance? Can you handle it in bad weather or your current state of health? If your city still does not offer reasonable public transit options, it may be a good time to let your lawmakers know you support such an initiative and why it’s important to you.

In today’s modern world there are several “green” movements that are attempting to enrich the planet and make it a better, more sustainable place to live. Activities ranging from planting trees to using biodegradable or reusable grocery bags are among the ways that people are helping the environment, but one of the most vitally important ways to help involves getting from Point A to Point B: carpooling and public transportation.

Today’s infographic from creditdonkey outlines the positive impact that increased public transportation has made in the past few years. Thanks to so many people opting not to use their cars, as much as 37 million tons of CO2 are not released and 340 million gallons of fuel aren’t used annually. That’s a lot of saved money on gas!

If you live in a metropolitan area, public transportation is a great way to not only dip less into our natural resources but also to help potentially save a good deal of money on the cost of getting around, and carpooling can be equally as helpful for those that don’t live near public means of transportation.

For more information on the benefits of public transportation refer to the infographic below.