Making alternative transportation part of our life style is the best way to save the most money.
Here’s how:
Walk to close-by destinations instead of driving – 5 miles/week
Annual savings = $130.
Errand share with neighbors – 15 miles/week
Annual savings = $390.
Ride share to work with one co-worker – 90 miles/week*
Annual savings = $2,340.
Take Public Transportation to and from work – 100 miles/week**
Annual savings = $2,190.
Telework three days a week – 108 miles/week
Annual savings = $2,808.
Buy a hybrid car and ride share to work – 90 miles/week***
Annual savings = $2,995.
Here is the Ridesmart web site that hooks us up with others in the neighborhood whose commute is similar to ours and who are looking for ride-share partners. https://www.myridesmart.com/html/carpool.htm
Here is the Clean Air Campaign site that has cash incentives for ride-sharing.
http://www.cleanaircampaign.org/Your-Commute/Earn-Cash.-Win-Prizes and also has links to other neighbors who wish to ride-share.
*Based on an average daily commute of 36 miles and cost of automobile upkeep, depreciation and fuel of $0.50 per mile. Insurance costs (that we have to pay whether we drive or not) are not included. Also not included are deferred and indirect costs such as road upkeep, lost time, health costs because of pollution, etc., etc. For scary real costs visit http://commutesolutions.org/external/calc.html
**Based on public transportation fare of $47.50 per month, parking cost savings of $30 per month, and saved mileage of 400 miles per month.
***Based on fuel efficiency of 50 mpg rather than 25.
George
Ridesharing is a great way to save money and reduce CO2 emissions. Also, a lot of states are adopting laws that will give incentives to people who carpool, one of those incentives being the use carpool lanes.
I’ve tried Craigslist and eRideshare, but one of my favorites is Amovens.com. It’s easy to post rides or find commutes. They even host holiday give-aways, such as a free $25 gas card for people who successfully set-up a carpool for the week of Thanksgiving. I would definitely recommend giving any of the above sites a try!