DVRPC: 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Commute

With all the talk of rising gas prices lately, who wouldn't want to save on their transportation costs? The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) offers five ways to save money on your commute in this edition of our "Five Things" column.

From the DVRPC:

Rising gas prices are taking a toll on area commuters. Luckily, the DVRPC has a number of programs and tips to help commuters spend less time and money getting to work.

Follow one or more of these tips for a cheaper, faster commute: 

1. Take transit and get your ride tax-free. Public transit is still the least expensive and most fuel-efficient way to commute. Commuters can also use pretax dollars to purchase transit fares with the TransitChek program, and save up to $500 per year on federal income taxes. (Employers can save with this program, too!) Visit www.gettransitchek.org for more information. 

2. Consider a carpool or vanpool. Find other commuters who drive the same route using Share-A-Ride, a free ride-matching service for commuters who work in southeastern Pennsylvania. The SAR program is offering up to $150 in Sunoco gas cards for enrolled commuters who start a new carpool or vanpool through their local Transportation Management Association (TMA). For more details, visit www.PAcarpool.com. New Jersey employees can contact the Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association at www.driveless.com for more information on carpooling.

3. Tell your employer to contact MAP. Employers in southeastern PA can help employees reduce the cost and stress of commuting through DVRPC’s Mobility Alternatives Program (MAP). MAP offers free information and outreach on taking transit, carpooling and vanpooling, teleworking, flex time, and employee incentives. For more information, employers can call 215-592-1800 or visit www.dvrpc.org/mobilityalternatives.

4. Change the way you drive. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking) can reduce gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speed. Be sure to clean out your trunk, since an extra 100 pounds reduces gas mileage by up to 2 percent. Also, trip-link when possible. Combining errands with your daily commute will save time, money and the environment.

5. Follow regular maintenance schedules for your car. A properly running vehicle emits less pollution and saves gas. When filling up on gas, stop at the click and don’t top off the tank. Spillage adds two tons of air pollution daily and costs you money. Check your owner’s manual and properly inflate your tires. Properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage up to 3.3 percent. When changing your oil, use a manufacturer-recommended grade motor oil to improve fuel economy by 1-2 percent.

“From taking transit to carpooling, there are many ways commuters can save time and money getting to work,” said DVRPC Executive Director, Barry Seymour. “Each of these easy tips has a positive impact on our environment and increases mobility in our region.”