April 17, 2019

Get on Board for Public Transit!

Join us on April 25, 2019 for National Get on Board Day to show your support for public transportation! Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, Get on Board Day is a new national awareness and advocacy day that is all about generating awareness of and increasing support for public transportation among riders and non-riders alike.

Public transportation transforms communities by spurring economic development, promoting sustainable lifestyles, and providing a higher quality of life. Every segment of society — individuals, families, communities, and businesses — benefits from public transportation. It includes many modes like buses, light rail, subways, commuter trains, streetcars and trolleys, vanpool services, ferries and water taxis, monorails and tramways, cable cars, and paratransit services for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Here in the District, the DC Circulator and DC Streetcar are always FREE to ride. There’s also the Metrobus and Metrorail, MARC trains, VRE, and many other transit options to easily get you where you need to go in the city.

Save Money on Transit Year-Round with Pre-tax Commuter Benefits

To support your daily commute to work, many DC employers offer commuter tax benefits, which is a fancy way of saying you’re allowed to contribute pre-tax income toward public transportation and vanpooling. As of January 1, 2019, you can set aside up to $265 per month as a pre-tax deduction or tax-free subsidy for use on public transportation or vanpools. By participating in a commuter benefits program, you can potentially save up to 35-40% in your monthly commuting cost. For example, if you have a yearly salary of $60,000 and spend $150 a month on transit, you can save $660 over the course of a year. Find out how much you could save. Contact your HR department for program specifics. 

goDCgo is “on board” to highlight the many ways public transit provides economic, social, cultural, environmental, and safety benefits for commuters in DC. Here are a few reasons why you should, too.

Stay Connected

• Millennials consider public transportation the best option for digital socializing and among the best for connecting with communities.
• 87% of public transportation trips directly benefit the economy by getting people to work and connecting them to local businesses.

Economic Efficiency

• Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates more than 50,000 jobs.
• A household can save nearly $10,000 by taking public transportation and living with one less car — or even better, car-free!

Safety Measures

• You can reduce the chance of being in an accident by more than 90% simply by taking public transit as opposed to commuting by personal vehicle.
• Traveling by public transportation is 10x safer per mile than traveling by automobile.

Better Environment

• Communities that invest in public transit reduce the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.
• Public transportation reduces traffic congestion, makes your drive easier, and helps save the environment.

How do you plan to celebrate #GetOnBoard Day? Tweet @goDCgo and let us know! You can also sign a petition showing your support, share stories about how your life has been impacted by public transit, and learn about its value.