Lori my college friend writes:
Last April I took the plunge into Metro Transit. I live 25 miles away from my place of employment, saw gas prices continually rising, and figured I needed to try alternative transportation. I know not all these factors will apply to everyone, but I found these advantages at my disposal which made Metro Transit work for me and add up to big savings!
Free Park-N-Ride lot near my house (cutting my drive from 50 miles a day to only 10) Employer-subsidized transit options (they cover over 50% of transit fees) Tax- deferred payments for transit (what I pay for transit passes comes out of my salary on a pre-tax basis) No need for a parking permit at work (parking in Minneapolis is not cheap!)
I initially said, "I'll try this for a week." Now eight months later, I think I have driven to/from work less than a dozen times. I also started tracking my financial savings. The amount I am saving is directly dependent upon the cost of gas, since all other costs/savings remain constant. At the peak of gas prices, I was saving over $100 each month! Now with gas prices around $1.60, my savings is around $44 per month. I also lowered my insurance premium by declaring my car a minimum-use vehicle.
Plus, there were these non-monetary factors:
Non-stop express bus service to/from downtown meant no long waits, stops, or layovers
A wonderful boss who supported my commuting and let me adjust my hours. By not driving, I reclaimed some time in the day for me: I can relax by reading or sleeping on the bus, in turn making me more energized when I get to work and more relaxed when I get home.
I hope my story may be inspiring to anyone who is considering trying Metro Transit for themselves.
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