Last week I did a commuter choices presentation at JJR. At these presentations I give staff information and resources to help them walk, bike, bus, carpool, etc. to work. Since JJR is participating in the Commuter Challenge, this was a great time to come and talk to them.

Ron was at the presentation. He just started working at JJR a couple of weeks ago, so didn’t know all of the ins and outs of commuting to the downtown.

Since he doesn’t live in Ann Arbor, I encouraged him to think about parking at the Miller Road Park and Ride Lot and taking the 12UM AATA bus into town. The 12UM goes right past JJR, so it works out really well. And since JJR participates in the go!pass program, Ron gets a go!pass and can park at the Park and Ride Lot and ride the bus for free.

Ron sent me an email describing his experience using the Park and Ride Lot and bus for the first time. He had a great experience that I wanted to share with you:

I actually got to the Park & Ride Lot on Miller and M-14 by 6:25 a.m. and rode the bus to town!

My normal commute is 18.2 miles (36.4 miles roundtrip) and this saves me 2.5 miles (5.0 miles roundtrip) one way. Time wise it takes maybe 5 more minutes, waiting at the Lot for the Bus and the number of stops, no big deal. The stop close to JJR is on the SW Corner of Huron and Ashley.

I up’ed my [Commuter Challenge] goal of 4 Sustainable Commutes to 16 for next month’s, “Curb Your Car Month”. Last night we put over $60 in a tank of gas. At these prices this little 5.0 mile savings/commute will allow me not to purchase another $400 in gas over the course of the year.

I think Ron’s words speak for themselves! Do you want to save more money? Get more out of your commute by participating in the Curb Your Car Month Commuter Challenge. Take the Challenge by clicking here.