// BEGIN editorial data var i = 0; var CommuterOptions = new Array(); CommuterOptions.ID = "CommuterOptions"; CommuterOptions.ID_WB = 12704407; CommuterOptions.sPubDate = "8/30/2006 9:02:47 PM GMT"; CommuterOptions.navsectionID = "3032492" CommuterOptions.appFmt = 2; CommuterOptions.itemsPerPage = 1; CommuterOptions.appWidth = 460; CommuterOptions.appHeader = "factfile | Commuter options"; CommuterOptions.appDeck = "Looking to spend less on gasoline and maybe even help the environment? If so, click on a category for the pros and cons of alternatives to commuting with your car."; CommuterOptions.appFooter = "Source: Association for Commuter Transportation. Research by MSNBC.com's Miguel Llanos."; CommuterOptions.appNavStyle = 1; CommuterOptions.appLayout = 3; CommuterOptions.copyMargin = 9; CommuterOptions[i++] = new Array("","Bike","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/2006/June/060605/commuterApp/commuterApp_ElectricBike.htease.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "left", "giant-bicycles.com", "", "90", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); CommuterOptions[i-1].body = "Pros: Exercise; money savings, e.g. no parking costs. Buses, trains often carry bikes.
Cons: Longer commute; weather a factor; lack of bike lanes.
Trends: New housing developments often include bike lanes. More employers offer showers, lockers.
Electric bikes, like the one shown here, have pedals and an electric motor, which makes climbing hills a breeze. They cost $500-$1800."; CommuterOptions[i++] = new Array("","Bus","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/2006/June/060605/commuterApp/commuterApp_HOVLane.htease.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "left", "", "City of Seattle", "90", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); CommuterOptions[i-1].body = "Pros: Bus passes are cheaper than operating a car and some employers subsidize passes; time to read or listen to music/news; no parking costs.
Cons: Often takes longer; may require walking.
Trends: Atlanta, Boston and Seattle are among cities testing ways to speed up bus commutes, such as lanes exclusively for public transit.
Amenities include more comfortable express buses between cities and even wireless Internet access on some lines."; CommuterOptions[i++] = new Array("","Car/Vanpool","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060605/commuterApp/commuterApp_carpool.htease.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "Justin Sullivan", "Getty Images", "110", "66", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); CommuterOptions[i-1].body = "Pros: Carpool lanes; time to read and/or listen to music/news; social gathering; often preferential parking.
Cons: Longer commute; too much togetherness.
Trends: Guaranteed Ride Home programs exist in most areas for emergency use. Ride matching allows for more direct routes. Some vanpools have wireless Internet connections."; CommuterOptions[i++] = new Array("","Carshare","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060605/commuterApp/commuterApp_flexCar.htease.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "Business Wire", "88", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); CommuterOptions[i-1].body = "Pros: Gas, insurance included in hourly fee of $5-7, or daily rates around $50; hybrids available; book online, using personalized smart card key for access to vehicles.
Cons: Must pickup and return at dedicated lots.
Trends: Flexcar (flexcar.com) and Zipcar (zipcar.com), the two largest carshare services, are expanding to more cities. Typical locations are at universities and office towers."; CommuterOptions[i++] = new Array("","Hybrid cars","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CommuterOptions[i-1].body = "Pros: Up to 50 percent better mileage; no need to plug in.
Cons: Battery packs are an added maintenance item after warranty period.
Trends: A federal tax credit eliminates much of the markup for hybrids in 2006. Congress might extend the program."; CommuterOptions[i++] = new Array("","Rail/subway","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060605/commuterApp/commuterApp_lightRail.htease.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "Business Wire", "83", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); CommuterOptions[i-1].body = "Pros: Can be faster than by car; time to read, listen to music/news; some employers subsidize passes; no parking costs.
Cons: Can be crowded; may require walking or making a transit connection.
Trends: Wireless Internet on some routes."; CommuterOptions[i++] = new Array("","Telework","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CommuterOptions[i-1].body = "Pros: Save time and money (on food, clothing); safer than traveling.
Cons: Feeling out of touch with office.
Trends: Telework is the fastest growing segment within commuting. Many participants telework just a few days a week. "; CommuterOptions[i++] = new Array("","Scooter/motorcycle","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060605/commuterApp/commuterApp_scooter.htease.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "Frank Franklin II", "AP", "107", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); CommuterOptions[i-1].body = "Pros: Scooters get 70-100 mpg, motorcycles a bit less. Easier, and often free, parking.
Cons: Share road with larger vehicles; weather a factor; some scooters are not fast enough for highway use.
Trends: Manufacturers are moving to cleaner 4-stroke engines."; CommuterOptions[i++] = new Array("","Financial factors","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); CommuterOptions[i-1].body = "Commute incentives often include:

1) Employer-sponsored or individual set aside of pre-tax dollars. The IRS allows $105 pre-tax payments for transit and vanpooling (similar to medical spending accounts for pre-tax set asides); also can set aside up to $205 pre-tax for parking (IRS section 132 (f)).
2) Local commute programs. Examples: Atlanta area $3/day up to $180; gas and grocery incentives in San Francisco Bay Area; Houston cash incentives to vanpool.

Want to figure out your cost of commuting? Click here for a calculator provided by Arlington County, Va.
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