Media Advisory
April 18, 2006
(Download In Adobe PDF Format)
"The American Public Transportation Association congratulates U.S. DOT Secretary Norman Mineta for encouraging greater transit use as a way to beat high gas prices," said American Public Transportation Association President William W. Millar.
Yesterday at an event at LYNX in Orlando, Florida, Secretary Mineta said that consumers can save money at the pump by leaving their cars at home and giving transit a try. He also said that across the country, people are discovering that transit provides an easy, comfortable way to get to work and bypass high gas prices.
"Now, more than ever, it is obvious that people need to have transportation choices besides driving a car," said Millar. "Secretary Mineta is absolutely right to encourage people to use transit. Public transportation is the quickest way people can beat the high price of gas."
A sampling of agencies across the country indicates that people coast to coast are turning to public transportation in increasing numbers this year. From Orlando to San Francisco, Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., Salt Lake City to Raleigh-Durham, transit ridership is significantly up as Americans have chosen to travel by transit.
For people who are new to public transportation but want to beat the high gas prices, here are five things to consider:
Go to www.publictransportation.org to find your local transit system.
Go to your local system's web site to find information on schedules and fares.
Ask your employer if transit benefits are provided. Employers can provide up to $105 a month in pre-tax money for employees to use public transportation. These transit benefits can also be used to park at transit stations.
Ask your local transit agency if they have van pool programs so you can join with other people to van pool to work.
When visiting a community, use the discounted one-day pass.
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