Car Free Detroit
The high cost of car ownership
Most people only think of gas when they calculate the cost of owning a car but the cost is much more when insurance, maintenance, car payments, taxes, license plate fees, parking, towing, and motorist club services are included. The Automobile Association of America calculates that the annual cost of owning and operating a new car is about $5,300 a year. A used car will cost several thousand a year to operate and maintain. Consumer Affairs has found that when people buy a used vehicle, they often must sink hundreds of dollars into repairs shortly after purchasing it.
Benefits of not owning a car
Advertisers have convinced us that car ownership is the only way to go. Their television ads show happy people driving along pristine country roads without any other cars in sight. The reality is that cars break down, get stuck in traffic jams and that often parking is inconvenient and costly. Automobiles contribute to a noisy and polluted environment. Even worse, many people enter into car payments and maintenance costs they cannot afford. The result is that their cars are repossessed and their credit records are tarnished. Their next loan becomes even more expensive as they are placed in a high risk credit pool with higher interest rates.
Saving Money with Public Transportation
A car-free life style can save the consumer thousands of dollars a year. As of October, 2000 an unlimited, monthly bus pass through the Detroit Department of Transportation (D-DOT) costs under $50. A regional monthly bus pass, which includes D-DOT and SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) also costs under $50. An individual ride on D-DOT, SMART or Detroit People Mover is only 1.25-2.00 one way. The Detroit Trolley and the D-DOT mini buses cost only .50.
The link address is: http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/consumeraffair/car_free.htm
This Thursday! General Meeting @ the NEW Downtown Welcome Center!
