Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Charles Plosser announced in January that the American economy is on track to continue its growth trends from 2013, stating, “the bottom line is that the economy is on a firmer footing than it has been for the past several years.” Specifically, Plosser estimates that American gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 3% over 2014, with unemployment rates throughout the nation dropping to 6.2% by the end of year; that marks a .5% improvement over December 2013.

While Plosser’s proclamation lead to hopeful feelings in U.S. stock markets, the chronically unemployed, and American business owners, for the vast majority of American citizens, the continued recovery of the economy is taking too long. Many people may not be aware of the fact that 76% of Americans are still struggling to get from paycheck to paycheck. Consider, even the most financially savvy family spends an average of $397 a month on groceries. When you add that to utilities, car insurance, gasoline, and all the other daily expenses American families have to worry about, it’s clear that most Americans need a more immediate fix.

Cutting Costs Quickly with Public Transportation
There’s not much you can do about high grocery bills or the costs of your insurance and utilities. However, you can quickly reduce the amount you’re spending on getting to and from work, the grocery store, and elsewhere by using public transportation. Americans take 10.5 billion trips on public transportation every year. The last time usage was that high was in 1957. Convenience is a huge factor here, but most Americans use buses, subways, and other forms of public transport because it’s a much cheaper way to travel.

Keep in mind, Americans spend 16 cents of every dollar on getting from Point A to Point B, 94% of which goes directly to purchasing a vehicle, keeping that vehicle fueled, and maintaining it. A family that uses public transportation on a specific day at least once a week, on the other hand, will save nearly $10,000 a year.

Is Public Transportation Safe?

Recent high profile accidents involving public transportation have given commuters cause to wonder whether or not the affordability of a public commute brings with it increased safety risks. Residents in the New York City borough of Brooklyn were shocked this week when an ambulance crashed into a bus, injuring 16 children and three adults. Likewise, a cyclist in Rochester recently ran in front of a Rochester Transit Service bus, falling beneath the wheels and losing her life as the bus ran over her. Both cases, understandably, have given commuters pause.


It’s important to note, however, that neither accident was caused by the buses’ drivers. In the case of the Brooklyn accident, the ambulance ran a red light before slamming into the bus. Similarly, the bicyclist in the Rochester case swerved into the path of the bus. While these accidents were tragic, the fact is they’re statistical anomalies. In many of the busiest cities across North America, public transportation vehicles are only involved in a tenth as many accidents as privately owned vehicles. In other words, public transportation is both a cheaper and safer way to go.


It’s undoubtedly good news that the United States economy is continuing to improve. However, for cash-strapped Americans, change isn’t happening fast enough. Switching to public transport can generate the savings Americans need to loosen their belts a little.