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How Do We Commute to Work?

According to a new U.S. Census Bureau analysis of data from the 2005 American Community Survey, 23 percent of Americans do not drive to work alone.

The survey found that 1 in 10 of Americans carpool to work (10.7 percent). In the Tampa Bay region, this number is 10 percent. The survey also found that 4.7 percent of commuters used public transportation to travel to work in 2005, an increase of about 0.1 percent over 2000 levels. The public transportation data are among the many topics that can be localized from the American Community Survey. Some other commuter facts of interest include:

• Approximately one in 10 of us (10.7 percent) car pool to work. About three-fourths of carpoolers (77.3 percent) ride with just one other person. Large cities with some of the highest rates of car pooling include Fresno, Calif. (15.1 percent); Honolulu (15.6 percent); Mesa, Ariz. (16.7 percent); Phoenix (16.2 percent); and Sacramento, Calif., (15.7 percent).

• Portland, Ore., has the distinction among large cities as having the highest percentage of bicycle commuters. Approximately 3.5 percent of Portland’s workers pedal to work, about eight times the national average of 0.4 percent.

• The third most popular option was no commute at all. Approximately 3.6 percent of us worked from home in 2005. Large cities with high rates of home-based workers included Austin, Texas (5 percent); Colorado Springs, Colo. (4.9 percent); Portland, Ore. (5.3 percent); San Francisco (6.3 percent); and Seattle (5.1 percent).

• Boston had the highest percentage among large cities of employees who walk to work (13 percent). Nationally, 2.5 percent of us walked to work, the fourth most popular mode of transportation behind driving and using public transportation.

As part of the Census Bureau’s reengineered 2010 Census, the data collected by the ACS helps federal officials determine where to distribute more than $300 million to state and local governments each year. Responses to the survey are strictly confidential and protected by law.

The 2005 ACS estimates are based on an annual, nationwide household sample of about 250,000 addresses per month. Geographic areas for which data are available are based on total populations of 65,000 or more. The ACS estimates released are for the household population and do not include populations residing in group quarters.

As is the case with all surveys, statistics from sample surveys are subject to sampling and nonsampling error. Estimates for states (or counties, cities, regions, etc.) in the same paragraph in this news release may not be significantly different from one another. For more information go to http://www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/index.htm.

Tampa BayCycle Kick-Off Month a Success!

The New North Transportation Alliance and the Tampa Downtown Partnership, co-organizers of Tampa BayCycle, recently deemed the inaugural event a success. The initiative encouraged commuters to cycle to work, school or play during the month of May, National Bike MonthTM. This is the first year that a bicycling initiative of this nature was held in the Tampa Bay area.

Through Tampa BayCycle, cyclists were recruited to participate in the initiative and to become a part of the ‘Elite 100’ and ‘Friends of Cycling.’ More than 950 cyclists – from enthusiasts to casual riders to novices – directly participated. The Elite 100 is a group of bicyclists who know that riding a bike provides for a sound mind, fit body, and helps the environment. Those who joined the Elite 100 committed to encourage at least five other friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, community leaders, or anyone who wants to join the movement, to try bicycle commuting during the month of May. Those who are recruited can become part of the Friends of Cycling, a long-term network of cyclists. And though the initial movement is over, cyclists can still sign up to become a part of the Elite 100 by visiting www.TampaBayCycle.com.

Winning Businesses taking the Challenge includeded the City of Tampa; the St. Pete Times Forum; NOAA with seven participants and 107 trips and 447 miles logged; and Pinellas County. Each of the business challenge winners received a catered lunch from Lenny’s Sub Shop for every cyclist who participated.

Winners of the Individual Commuter Challenges include Delwyn Collins and John Wiser for most trips taken; Britton Hardy, Larry Collins and Minh Vuong for most miles biked to work; Kimberly Cooper for most friends recruited; and Trish Cohen for most recreational/other miles.. These winners received a Minewt LED light, while Cohen received a family membership to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.

Tampa BayCycle is made possible through a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation and the following additional sponsors: Oliver’s Cycle Shop, Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium, Bicycle Outfitters, Boston Bill Sunglasses, Splitsville, Tampa Bay YMCA and Trek.

HART Invites You to “Dump the Pump” on June 21

Transit Plays Key Role in Helping the Environment and Conserving Gasolin

With environmental concerns and the high cost of gas on everyone’s minds, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority will join with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the Second Annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 21. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2007 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation to help improve the environment and to save on gasoline.

“Public transportation plays a vital role in our community by helping people save money and by improving our environment,” said HART Interim Executive Director Steve Roberts. “On June 21, people can make a difference by riding public transportation and encouraging their friends and family to do so, too.”

Based on the IRS business mileage allowance of 48.5 cents per mile, a commute of only 10 miles would cost $4.85 each way, or nearly $10 round-trip. Compared to HART’s $1.50 local fare each way ($2.50 for Commuter Express), taking transit instead of driving could save that 10-mile commuter almost $7 a day.

“We will also be highlighting our environmentally-friendly hybrid buses and letting the public know that HART is leading the way in conserving fuel by using energy-efficient and alternative fueled buses and staff cars,” said Mr. Roberts.

Earlier this year a report by ICF International, “Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.: Reducing Dependence on Oil,” stated that the U.S. public transportation systems save 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline every year, the equivalent of 108 million cars filling up in a year.

“The 2007 National Dump the Pump Day is a public awareness day that emphasizes the benefits of using public transportation,” said APTA President William W. Millar. “It is also a day for people across the country to make a difference as they conserve gasoline and help our environment.

HART set an annual ridership record with more than 10 million rides in 2006, and is poised to break it in 2007 by exceeding 11 million rides before the end of the fiscal year in September. Part of the increase is attributed to a growth of 34% in HART’s Commuter Express services.

Everyone who joins HART’s effort to “Dump the Pump” will also get their own personal fashion statement – a sticker they can wear during the day to proudly declare they chose to try transit.

HART Transit Development Plan 2008-2017 Update

The draft of the FY 2008 – FY 2017 HART Transit Development Plan (TDP) update is complete and ready for public comment. To download the draft TDP update please Click Here. You may email your comments on the FY 2008 – FY 2017 HART Transit Development Plan to TDP2008@hartline.org. All comments must be received by July 23rd. The outreach sessions and public hearing on the Draft TDP will now be held during the weeks of July 9th and 16th. This will enable HART to determine the impact of any decision by the Florida Legislature on the property tax revenue that funds a significant portion of HART’s service. If you have any questions you can contact John Marsh at (813) 223-6831, ext. 2129 or email TDP2008@hartline.org.

Want to save money & make better use of your time by carpooling or vanpooling-
but don't know anyone to share the commute with?
We may be able to help! Join the regional rideshare database by following the link on the Commuter page of our website, www.newnorthalliance.org,  or by calling 813-974-9799 to speak with a New North Transportation Alliance representative.