Findings from the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) May Transit Savings Report state that commuters who ride public transit instead of driving can save, on average, $823 this month and $9,880 annually. These figures are based on the cost of commuting by public transit compared to the cost of owning and driving a vehicle which includes the May 9 average national gas price ($3.75 per gallon as reported by AAA) and the national unreserved monthly parking rate.
The national average for a monthly unreserved parking space in a downtown business district is $155.22, according to the 2011 Colliers International Parking Rate Study. Parking costs for a vehicle can amount to an average of $1,863 annually.
Accounting for the purchase of a monthly transit pass and factoring in local gas prices as of early May, the APTA report found that public transit riders in New York City save the most money annually at $14,508. Other cities with big-saving commuters include Boston ($13,248 annually), San Francisco ($13,013 annually), Chicago ($11,853 annually) and Seattle ($11,810 annually).
This information is based on the annual APTA fare collection survey and is weighted based on ridership (unlinked passenger trips).