More people planning BART trips as gas prices skyrocket
New Analysis shows BART is almost 4 times cheaper than driving
As gas prices continue to skyrocket, BART is seeing a significant increase in the number of people turning to BART in order to cut their commute costs by up to $10,500 per year.
In just the last week, there have been 14,500 more page views on the trip planning function of BART's website, a five percent increase over the week before.
Additionally, the call volume to BART's transit planning phone center has steadily increased over the last month after remaining flat since November.
RIDERSHIP INCREASE? ? TOO SOON TO TELL:
BART ridership has slightly increased since gas prices began shooting through the roof. BART officials feel gas prices have certainly been a contributing factor to the ridership increase, but believe there are other factors to consider as well, such as baseball games and ridership promotions.
BART ALMOST 4 TIMES CHEAPER THAN DRIVING:
Still, as gas prices are poised to break through the $3.00/gallon mark, new numbers from the American Automobile Association and BART show a dramatic savings for those who take BART instead of driving in the year 2005.
| AAA Cost Comparison | |
| DRIVING |
BART |
| 69 cents/mile | 19 cents/mile |
Another recent study shows the cost effectiveness of taking BART for even just a portion of the commute. Researchers at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance found vehicle owners save between $5,500 to $10,500 per year if they take BART and give their car a vacation. The researchers factored in costs many drivers forget, including maintenance, mileage depreciation and bridge tolls. The researchers did not factor in fixed costs such as insurance, car loan financing and age-based depreciation.
WANT SUPER HIGH MILEAGE? RESEARCHERS SAY TAKE BART
The researchers also studied energy consumption of driving compared to taking BART. They concluded that a typical BART rider gets the equivalent of 250 miles per gallon, a mileage rating that shames even the best hybrid.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS OF DRIVING
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance researchers also studied the environmental costs of driving compared to taking BART. They cited a study by the Environmental Protection Agency that found the typical midsize car dumps 44 pounds of emissions into the air per day or more than 5 tons per year.
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INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL SELF-RELIANCE FINDINGS:
- BART riders can save $5,500 - $10,500 per year
- BART riders get the equivalent of 250 miles per gallon
- A midsize cars dumps 5 tons of pollutants each year while BART's hydroelectric power is virtually pollution-free
OFFICIALS PREDICT GAS PRICES WILL GO EVEN HIGHER
The federal Energy Information Administration is predicting gas prices will climb even higher in May. In the meantime, BART is committed to providing a cost-effective, safe, convenient and reliable alternative to driving with the kind of service that's made BART the #1 Transit System in America.