Saving money with transit

Gas prices are up more than 30 cents in the past two weeks, and more increases are reportedly on the way. How do commuters cope? In Central Indiana, there are several alternative transportation options that can save you money at the pump.

Do you know what you are spending on your commute? Use the Central Indiana Commuter Services Commute Cost Calculator to find out. Normally when we drive somewhere, we think about the cost in terms of the gallons of gasoline used. We don’t think about the money spent throughout the year on maintenance, replacement tires, or deprecation. Depreciation alone costs 23 cents per mile for the average-sized sedan. This figure is based on the AAA’s estimate that sedans decline in value by $3,554 per year (assuming 15,000 miles driven annually).

Local alternatives to commuting alone in your car include riding IndyGo, carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling, using on-demand transit in rural/suburban areas, or using Indy Express Bus if you live in Fishers or Carmel. There are savings to be found in each mode.

• The commute from Carmel and Fishers to downtown Indianapolis is about 30 miles per round-trip. Indy Express Bus takes commuters from park-and-ride lots in those communities to several locations in downtown Indianapolis. The fare is $10 for a round trip, which is less than the $14.35 it would cost you to drive your own car, as shown in the graphic. This figure does not account for parking costs. Parking in a downtown Indianapolis garage usually costs around $80 to $120 per month. That’s $4 to $6 per day. Therefore, using Express Bus could save you over $200 on a monthly basis.
  
• Central Indiana Commuter Services (CICS) organizes carpools and vanpools throughout the Indy metro region. It’s easy to confidentially enter your home and worksite locations and work schedule in order to be matched with others who have the same commute. Click here to sign up. A common concern about carpooling is what happens when an emergency causes a member of a carpool to need to leave work early or late. The CICS Emergency Ride Home program offers free vouchers to registered carpoolers to take a taxi home up to five times per year.
  
• If you live in Indianapolis, it is likely that you live within walking distance of one of IndyGo’s 30 local routes. Monthly fare passes are $60 ($30 for students, seniors and people with disabilities) and can be purchased online, by phone at (317) 635-3344, on the bus with cash, or at the IndyGo retail center at 34 N. Delaware Street. 2-adult households can often get by owning just one car if one or both adults take the bus to work. The annual monthly pass cost of $720 is a lot easier on the budget than the $8,487 per year it costs to own and operate an average-sized sedan (according to the AAA). Fixed route bus service is also available in other Central Indiana communities, including Johnson County routes that connect with IndyGo at the county line.
  
• It is becoming easier to bicycle in Central Indiana, thanks to planned and existing trails and bikeways. Cycling to work has the added bonus of approximately 700 calories burned per hour. With a small investment in some gear, you could save money by forgoing the car and the gym, too. If you’re intimidated by the idea of changing a flat or performing other bike maintenance, try a class at Bicycle Garage Indy.
  
• Residents of outlying counties also have a transportation option in on-demand transit. To use this type of service, individuals must call to arrange a trip at least a day in advance. Availability is based on demand. Fares usually range from $2 to $5 per trip. Most on-demand transit providers in counties adjacent to Marion County will drop passengers off at IndyGo stops that are close to the county line.
  

What are you doing differently in response to rising gas prices? Have you cut back on driving, or reduced spending in another area of your budget? Let us know by leaving a comment.