Boston ranks No. 1 with public transit savings

Even though gas prices have dropped considerably since the summer, commuters in the metro Boston area can save considerably by using public transportation. The price of ownership, maintenance and parking a vehicle can be avoided by purchasing a public transportation pass.

The American Public Transportation Association conducted the study that estimates commuters in several major cities including Boston and Philadelphia can save over $10,000 by taking the train or subway.

Although the organization has reason to emphasize the benefits of public transportation, the fact that Boston ranked No. 1 does seem to speak to the expenses of parking and insuring a car in Massachusetts in particular.

The study suggests that by buying a commuter pass instead of paying for parking on a daily basis, commuters in Boston save a little over $1000 per month. A commuter rail pass is considerably more expensive than a T pass and some employers partially subsidize the cost of parking, but even with taking these factors into consideration, commuters in Boston can do a lot for the environment and their budgets by making the switch to public transportation.

The American Public Transportation Association also reports that in the third quarter of 2008, almost 3 billion trips were taken on public transportation, up nearly 7 percent from the same period in 2007. The weakened economy and increased gas prices over the course of the year seem to suggest that taking public transportation is the solution many commuters are turning to when financial factors are taken into consideration.

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--Bridget O'Sullivan

Inside Consumer United :: Adam Dvorzak

Consumer United advocate Adam Dvorzak enjoys helping members by providing them with accurate information and money-saving tips on basic services.

Dvorzak believes in Consumer United's vision to help members save on basic services and likes working in an innovative, gung-ho environment. Being a part of Consumer United in its infancy was a thrilling experience for him because in only a short amount of time, he's seen a tremendous amount of growth.

What's Dvorzak's favorite way to save? "Brewing my own coffee each morning and making breakfast at home and not owning a vehicle and using the MBTA," he says.

He brings his lunch to work daily and lives as green as possible because this enables one to save money and the environment at the same time.

When Dvorzak isn't working hard at Consumer United, he's exploring the city, trying new restaurants or hitting the dance floor on the weekends.

"I'm a music junkie!" he emotes. "I enjoy listening to and producing music (favorites include electro, house, hip-hop). I'm also a big hockey and football fan."

Before Consumer United, Dvorzak worked at a history museum and developed an educational program which essentially provided a "Museum in a Box" series of traveling exhibits to students in low-income neighborhoods.

--Noelle Sevoian

Hybrid buses to save money for MBTA

MBTA is stepping up its efforts of becoming more environment friendly. Come Q1 of 2009, 123 buses belonging to the MBTA would be retrofitted with the proprietary Mini-Hybrid Thermal System. These are being built by Engineered Machined Products, Inc. (EMP), leaders in advanced thermal management and oil management products for variety of transportation needs.

The retrofitted buses are expected to become more fuel efficient and control emissions. The piggy bank at the cash-strapped MBTA is sure to swell in the long run. The savings are in the region of 3 to 14%, fuel saved would be in the region of 300 to 1400 gallons per bus, annually. With the current fuel cost, this would easily translate to annual savings of $1,000 to $4,900 per bus.

Apart from MBTA, the two other transportation bodies who availing the services of EMP are TriMet in Portland, Oregon and MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) in Atlanta, Georgia.

MBTA is going green and saving green ($) too! Kudos to them.

Advertisers hit the streets with goofy campaigns

Forget about advertising on TV. Marketers are causing mischief in the streets of Boston.

Traditional advertising seems to be fading away. These days, marketers are placing their promotions on the streets, in graveyards, under bridges and on public transportation. These promotions aim to surprise the public and, in a few cases, infuriate them. Regardless, the advertisements have been making a memorable mark.

Dr. Pepper's 2007 treasure hunt at the Granary Burying Ground potentially could have caused destruction. The 347-year-old burying ground is home to Benjamin Franklin, and his family. Boston Parks Commissioner Toni Pollak called the ad "Disrespectful." Dr. Pepper canceled the ad before it caused any trouble.

Alarm raising boxes were placed under bridges throughout Boston by Cartoon Network's cable show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Was the city notified before these light-alarm boxes were placed? No. The city of Boston sent out bomb squads and helicopters to find themselves out of $2 million. The network has since apologized and paid compensation to the government.

Legal Seafoods is promoting their restaurants by placing mouthy fish signs on public transportation. "This trolley gets around more than your sister" says one fish. Another fish, who quips, "This conductor has a face like a halibut" caused offense with a few MBTA employees, however Legal Seafoods has not dropped the ads.

Hook, line or stinker?

Several conductors of Boston's green line service are fuming over a recently unveiled Legal Sea Foods campaign that features a wisecracking cartoon fish that slings cheesy insults like: “This trolley gets around more than your sister” and “Hey lady, I've seen smaller noses on a swordfish.”

The offensive clincher? “This conductor has a face like a halibut.”

According to an article in the Boston Globe here, hundreds of green line employees complained to T management and the MBTA's top brass ordered the removal of the “halibut” ads, labeling them in poor taste.

While conductors find the ad to be a stinker, folks like Deana Cruthird says "you can't take everything personally" and Russell Sweet believes, "There are plenty of other things to be offended about."

DeVito/Verdi, the NYC-based ad agency who designed the ads, vetoed one idea as too crass. It reads, "The trolley is a lot like your mother. Anyone with a couple of bucks can get a ride." Bada-boom!

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