Study: Public transportation saves households $6,200

Public transportation use saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline every year and can reduce household expenses by $6,200, according to a new APTA study. "This should be a wake-up call as Congress and the President discuss how America can move towards energy independence," said APTA President William W. Millar. The study revealed that public transportation usage reduces U.S. gasoline consumption by 1.4 billion gallons each year — equivalent to 108 million cars filling up. These savings result from the efficiency of carrying multiple passengers in each vehicle; the reduction in traffic congestion from fewer automobiles on the roads; and the varied sources of energy for public transportation. The report also noted that households that are likely to use public transportation on a given day save more than $6,200 every year, compared to a household with no access to public transportation service. The full report, "Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.: Reducing Dependence on Oil," prepared for APTA by ICF International, can be found online at www.apta.com.