Number of the Day: 52.2

With my monthly bus and train pass I purchase, my direct out-of-pocket expense for the daily commute works out to a hair over 11.3 cents per mile for me.

My direct expense purchasing 2 one way fares on the train and 2 one way fares on the bus is 5.43 cents per mile per month.

With my monthly bus and train pass I purchase, my direct out-of-pocket expense for the daily commute works out to a hair over 11.3 cents per mile for me.

On average, 76% of transit costs are subsidized -- more so for people buying discount passes. Average transit costs per passenger mile were $0.86 in 2005.

Compare that with $0.33 per passenger-mile for the average passenger car.

Furthermore, the average energy intensity for transit in the United States is 3,638 BTU per passenger-mile, compared to 3,496 BTU per passenger-mile for passenger cars.

So what is the cost per mile of taking public transportation while owning a car?

One might counter with, 'why not just ditch the car?'

'Cause we are rather attatched to them; if one wants to get us to drop cars, then the transition to public transportation must be seen reasonable and something we can try out to see if we like it. It should not be an 'either-or' absoluteness.

Also these numbers should be done within the same study (not two seperate ones slapped together) and listed by region and amount of urbanization.

Also these numbers should be done within the same study (not two seperate ones slapped together) and listed by region and amount of urbanization.

The cost numbers in urban areas are often worse than the averages I shared.

I know of no system in the US that is hitting anywhere near $0.33 per passenger-mile, regardless.

I actively contest anonymous@6:11

[quote]
Those percentages are derived from these Oak Ridge figures (British Thermal Units or BTUs per passenger-mile, 2005 data), organized here most to least efficient:
Amtrak: 2,709
Commuter rail: 2,743
Rail transit: 2,784
Certificated domestic air carriers: 3,264
Cars: 3,445
[/quote]

Plus taking the car multiply your probability of accident by like 5 thousand billions compared to taking public transportation, especially on highways.

Plus taking the car multiply your probability of accident by like 5 thousand billions compared to taking public transportation, especially on highways.

So you're against bicycles and scooters? Both are extremely dangerous transportation modes.

I take the subway and the train to get to work (free shuttle bus from train station to work courtesy of my company). I work it out to $0.19/km, so that's about $0.31/mile

Re: Anonymous@6:11pm. Are the roads those passenger cars drive on factored into the cost?

Not the shared arterial roads, the fractal branchings that take all those passenger cars to people's doorsteps. Does that subsidized infrastructure factor into the $0.33 per passenger-mile for the average passenger car, personal cost?

Re: Anonymous@6:11pm. Are the roads those passenger cars drive on factored into the cost?

Are the roads those buses and paratransit ride on factored into the transit cost?

Surface transport is surface transport. Road and fuel subsidies affect transit and personal vehicles. In fact, larger vehicles do a disproportionate amount of damage to roadways relative to smaller vehicles, so one could even argue that road subsidies favor transit somewhat.

There's also plenty of dedicated infrastrucutre (like diamond and bus-only lanes) which aren't accounted for in transit budgets.

I'm just pointing out that transit in the US is neither as cost-efficient or as energy-efficient as people seem to think it is. It doesn't mean one shouldn't use transit, however, since the marginal trip decision is factors more environmentally benign than even the cleanest and most efficient personal vehicle with one or two people in it. The economics are a different matter entirely, as are overall averages.

The problem with calculations like this is you probably still -own- a car, whether your taking the bus or riding a bike or whatever. Your insurance, car payment, maintenance, etc doesn't go away. You do save on gas, but if you figure the amount of money involved in riding the bus when you have a perfectly good car sitting at home, it's cheaper to drive.

Course, if you are living without a car at all I could see how a bus/bike combo could be a very affordable way to get around. Long as the city your in has a decent public transportation system anyway.

Don't forget, the oil industry is heavily subsidized too. Is that figured into the car/mass transit per mile costs?

I support your choice to use public transportation, but I will not subsidies it. The National Transportation Systems own analysis says public transportation is 30 billion in the hole...Factor THAT in to the cost.

It's my choice to drive. I will not let our socialist government take away my choices. I will drive a hybrid when they become safe and when the actual mileage is real, not just advertised 52 mpg fantasy.

But, I will drive my car. I won't be herded onto public transportation. It's my freedom and it's my choice.