Center for Neighborhood Technology: How Are Gas Prices Affecting Philadelphia Area Transportation Costs?

Abogo, a website created by the Center for Neighborhood Technology to cover transportation’s effect on affordability and sustainability on individual communities throughout the United States, released a story yesterday that detailed transportation costs in our own city of Philadelphia.

In conjunction with the costs of Independence Day weekend travel and Philadelphia’s direct connection with the creation of that independence, the story outlines the high cost of transportation in the Greater Philadelphia area.

The article bases its argument around gas prices, which they cite at $3.67 per gallon, as compared with the forms of transportation utilized in two widely different living situations: the “diffuse community” of Pennsville, New Jersey, which is 35 miles south of the city, and Center City West, or more specifically, Rittenhouse.

In comparing the two different communities, the article highlights the great difference in usage of gasoline can make in a household’s monthly costs for transportation. Their calculations find that the difference between a center city resident and a commuter with few public transit options is over $600 per month.

The story ends with some recommendations to cut transportation expenses: use public transit as much as possible, get the available discounts for public transit, and use bikes and car-share vehicles instead of your own car in addition to walking whenever you can.

Do you agree with their theory? Check out the story and leave a comment of your own.