Save Green

Owning, maintaining, fueling, and operating a vehicle is hard on the pocket. The average cost of owning a car is $8,849 a year (AAA, 2018). Automobiles are also hard on the environment. Transportation, especially gas or diesel-powered, is a major contributor to climate change. The good news is there are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint and save money by making different transportation choices.

Tips to Save Green

• Bike & Walk for your body, budget, and the environment. Don’t have your own bike? Check-in with Bike Walk Tompkins or RIBBs for ways to access used or refurbished bikes, learn safety tips, and more.
• E-bikes & E-Scooters are one way to go up and down the Ithaca hills or reach further distances. Learn where you can legally use e-bikes and e-scooters on the NYS DMV Website. Download the Ithaca Bikeshare App to find and reserve an e-bike.  BOXY Bikes offers daily and hourly e-bike rentals.
• Take the bus to save money, reduce your impact, and take the stress out of your commute. Utilize the free TCAT bus apps to plan your route and track the next bus.
• Park & Ride to access the bus or to meet up for ridesharing in rural areas. Explore parking options at TCAT Park & Rides
• Share a ride or carpool with coworkers, friends, or neighbors to save money and reduce the number of cars on the road. Sign up for Finger Lakes Rideshare to post or share a ride.
• Improve gas mileage and save money on insurance by keeping current on car maintenance and driving efficiently. Learn more with AAA Auto Maintainance.
• Try Carshare as an alternative to owning your own car and reduce your expenses. Visit the Ithaca Carshare website.
• Switch to an Electric or Hybrid Vehicle. A used hybrid vehicle is more affordable than you might expect. New electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more affordable and tax deductions are available. Learn more with the comparison guide available on CCETC's Energy Program.
• Talk to your employer about flexible work arrangements that will allow you to take the bus, rideshare, or work from home more often. Learn more tips by emailing Way2Go.
• Consider the personal and cost benefits of moving closer to work. Calculate the cost and benefits of living closer to work at True Cost Tompkins.

Last updated June 27, 2024