Car costs holding steady, but taking the bus to work costs a lot less...

The cost of owning and operating a new vehicle in 2007 remained much the same as one year ago, according to a study by AAA, the nation’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization.

But what does that mean for the average motorist? It costs 52.2 cents per mile, or $7,823 per year, when driving 15,000 miles annually. AAA figures drivers of small sedans pay less - $6,217 per year. While and SUV costs an average of $9,997 per year.

Commuters looking to spend less on gas, wear and tear on their car and insurance should consider taking the bus to work, even if it’s not every day of the week.

Phil Fry, Assistant General Manager of CT TRANSIT, recently calculated how much may be saved by taking the bus to work. In April 2007, the average price of a gallon of gas in Connecticut hovered around $3.00, making the average cost of filling up a 15-gallon car around $45.00. If a typical commuter needs to fill up their tank twice a week, by the end of the month $360 would be spent on gas.

Contrast that cost to a 31-day CT Transit bus pass. Depending on distance and route, a monthly pass costs between $77.00 and $122.00. Discounted 10-day passes are also offered. Travel distance, vehicle gas mileage and operating costs will vary for every commuter, but savings are likely to be substantial.

Many companies subsidize bus fare for workers who use public transit. Human resources departments can tell you what amount the company will contribute.

People who would like to take the bus but don’t because they worry what would happen if they needed to get home quickly in an emergency may not know that CT TRANSIT offers Guaranteed Ride, a free ride home twice a year to those holding 31-day or monthly passes.

To learn more about bus routes from your area and the Free Trial Ride offer, contact customer service at (800) 972-3279 or email cs@rideshare.com. 

For more information on routes and schedules, see www.cttransit.com.