One thing we need to talk more about is how great transit also allows people to save money. I spent $2,879 this year on transportation, or $240 a month. That's less than my student loan payment. - ThreadSky

thetransitguy.com • 59 days ago

One thing we need to talk more about is how great transit also allows people to save money.

I spent $2,879 this year on transportation, or $240 a month. That's less than my student loan payment.

Comments

ceramicdrip.bsky.social•59 days ago

I mean yeah, id hope its less

dalibor.bsky.social•59 days ago

That’s a lot for transit lol. $8 a day

rainerschein.bsky.social•59 days ago

It's less than owning an operating a car.

dalibor.bsky.social•59 days ago

True, but it’s still a lot

rainerschein.bsky.social•59 days ago

If a car is the default and it costs less than a car, then it isn't a lot.

thetransitguy.com•59 days ago

MTA - $861
E-bikes (Citibike) - $1,553!!!!!!!
NJT - $50

thetransitguy.com•59 days ago

Oh the reason I don't have an e-bike, and haven't used one since August because prices are so crazy, is because i have a studio and my building doesn't have bike parking.

tankengine.bsky.social•59 days ago

E-Brompton?

super-bus-machine.bsky.social•59 days ago

I just got a citibike membership. I don’t even bother with my personal bike.

jpchan.com•59 days ago

Folding bikes are great for NYC apartment dwellers! Have owned Brompton, Tern, Bike Friday, Dahon. All great.

addikt.bsky.social•59 days ago

I was always a fan of the folding bikes when I lived in the UK. I could take it on the train or even a plane so easily.

My friend in NYC and I were discussing the cost of the Citi bikes vs just buying an e-bike. He mentioned his building bans them because of fire hazards.

asiegel.bsky.social•59 days ago

1. Somewhat like EV challenge for multi-family (no easy plug in) residences. Need mandates for (secure) bike storage (with charging ...) with reduced parking spot requirements.
2. Challenging option: foldable and/or vertical storage w/in the studio (do you have an elevator?).

gspeng.bsky.social•59 days ago

Common problem! One reason Tern ads feature bikes stored upright & flat (collapsing handlebars) in living spaces is to show off. It's battery is safe & it fits in small footprint

odedshr.bsky.social•59 days ago

I ❤️ Edinburgh. Spent £400 this year on transport, mostly busses. I mostly walked or cycled to anywhere I needed go.

richardmoody.bsky.social•59 days ago

It's a good argument for buying a Brompton.

imjeremyfuckoff.bsky.social•59 days ago

How are you spending that much on CitiBike? Did you get billed for losing a bike? I know it's a bit pricier in New York than here in Boston, but that sounds like roughly a membership and 4800 e-bike minutes

aztec4life13.bsky.social•59 days ago

You can buy an ebike for that price

eric.link•59 days ago

That looks like you’ve been riding ebikes without a citi bike membership. If so, paying the $200 annual fee should cut that in half even including the annual fee.

s404064.bsky.social•59 days ago

That is about what I pay monthly just for insurance and parking at my place; not even the car itself, fuel, maintenance, parking away from home, etc

jctenton.bsky.social•59 days ago

i have no idea how much i spent on transportation since it was so small i didn't need to budget it, maybe $600? good times

sarahhbickerton.bsky.social•59 days ago

An excellent thing that has happened here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand this year is that they’ve capped fares at $50 per 7 day period. Previously you could pay for a monthly pass, but that’s a lot of money up-front. Now at most you’ll pay $200 over a four week period.

sarahhbickerton.bsky.social•59 days ago

https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/at-hop-card/card-concessions-discount-fares/7-day-fare-cap-for-auckland-public-transport

brandonmcfadden.com•59 days ago

i’m really happy with how I did in Chicago. just $765 for essentially unlimited riding throughout the city.
https://bsky.app/profile/brandonmcfadden.com/post/3lek7k7w36k2r

pragmatistsftw.bsky.social•59 days ago

Certainly less when compared to maintenance costs for cars

kennygoo.bsky.social•59 days ago

Probably the most significant point here is a comparison to the alternative: https://www.aol.com/average-american-spends-12-000-100018469.html

obsoletevernacular.bsky.social•59 days ago

This is a good argument to use with conservatives and liberals - transportation is a top 3 budget item for most people outside housing and food. Cars are a burden on the poor and middle class.

Having transit good enough that people can go car free or car lite is a huge savings.

alexamadeo.com•59 days ago

I work for a transit agency so I usually get around for free. I want everyone to have the ability to choose transit as their primary mode of transport! But I also spent roughly $1,300 on insurance/gas/maintenance for my car this year. Its hard to give it up when it’s relatively low…

tankengine.bsky.social•59 days ago

Genuine question, do you think if a person in LA with free transit put all that saved money (transit pass, car insurance etc) towards better located housing, that they could get by with just transit? Or is it still too hard?

alexamadeo.com•59 days ago

It depends. I paid off my car years ago, so for me it made sense to keep it, but I likely would not have bought a car if I have moved to my current neighborhood first. So for me, here, it would not be hard. But different folks have different needs, so there's only working to give people more choices

tankengine.bsky.social•59 days ago

Gotcha, thanks for your insight!

dangerbutt.bsky.social•59 days ago

Keep the car, forgo driving it. Incremental progress is progress!

rowanwiebe.bsky.social•59 days ago

The cost of owning and operating a car in my city is equal to my rent

bettybarcode.bsky.social•59 days ago

Absolutely. Every household who can forego an automobile now has $8K or more extra discretionary income.

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