advertisement

---

Commuters are saving an average $9,904 annually and $825 per month, based on current gas prices, by riding public transit systems instead of driving their cars, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

Gas prices increased 28 cents per gallon in the 10 days leading up to March 4. The current savings by using public transportation are the highest in the past two years, APTA officials said.

"As gas prices rise, using public transportation is the quickest way people can beat high gasoline prices," said APTA President William Millar in a prepared statement.  

APTA releases a monthly "Transit Savings Report" to examine how an individual in a two-person household can save money by using public transportation.

The top 10 cities with the highest transit ridership ranked in order of their transit savings base on the purchase of a monthly public transit pass, and factoring in local gas prices for March 4 and unreserved parking rates are: New York City, with a monthly savings of $1,198 and an annual savings of $14,376; Boston, $1,099 monthly, $13,188 annual; San Francisco, $1,088 monthly, $13,055 annual; Chicago, $991, monthly, $11,889 annual; Seattle, $973 monthly, $11,682 annual; Philadelphia, $957 monthly, $11,487 annual; Honolulu, $932 monthly, $11,181 annual; Los Angeles, $894 monthly, $10,725 annual; Minneapolis, $876 monthly, $10,510 annual; and San Diego, $866 monthly, $10,396 annual.