IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jean Leier (704) 432-0496

AVOID RISING GAS PRICES AND SAVE MONEY BY RIDING CATS

Charlotte, N.C., April 30, 2007 - Gas prices are on the rise again, nearing $3 a gallon for regular unleaded.  According to the latest AAA Fuel Gauge Report, the cost of regular unleaded gasoline has risen 35 cents in just the past month.  How do you get relief for your pocketbook as gas prices continue to remain high?  Park your vehicle and catch a ride aboard one of Charlotte Area Transit System’s (CATS) transit services.  “CATS gives commuters a variety of affordable transportation choices that fit their commuting lifestyles,” said Jim Zingale, CATS’ Chief Operating Officer.  CATS’ services include computerized carpool matching, vanpools and 75 local and express routes that serve the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.
 
While it currently costs commuters $43.65 to fill a 15-gallon tank with regular gasoline, riding CATS only cost $1.20 for local routes, $1.65 for express routes and $2.40 for express plus routes, which travel to neighboring counties.  Seniors and students, with proper id, ride for half off. 
 
“Riding CATS can save hundreds of dollars each month,” said Zingale.  “If you factor in parking costs and wear and tear on vehicles, the savings can go up even further.” “Commuters are doing the research and finding CATS to be a huge cost savings,” Zingale said.  

CATS rider George Schaeffer knows just how much money can be saved by commuting on public transportation.  He began riding the 61X Arboretum Express nearly six years ago.  “At that time I was already paying $110 a month for parking my car in Center City,” said Schaeffer.  So when Schaeffer started riding CATS he tucked that money away each month instead of spending it.  “I decided to put the money into a mutual fund that is now over $10,000” Schaeffer said.  And that doesn’t include his  savings at the pump from driving less and reducing maintenance costs on his vehicle.
 
Another popular commuting option at CATS is the vanpool program that includes 15-passenger vans and seven-passenger minivans, which can seat up to seven passengers.  A vanpool or minivan consists of a group of people who live and work near each other and share similar commuting schedules. Each service tailors its schedule around the group's needs, with all members deciding on the pick-up and drop-off locations and times.  CATS covers the cost of gas, maintenance, insurance and the Guaranteed Ride Home program.
 
“The minivan option continues to be the most popular choice for groups of commuters looking to ride together,” said Dietrich Brown, CATS Vanpool Manager.  “Customers say it is similar to their own vehicles and easy to drive.”  CATS currently has a total of 76 vanpools on the road; some that commute in from as far as Winston-Salem.  Minivans comprise 24 of the 76 vanpools.
 
For more information about how you can save money by riding CATS services and plan your commuting route with CATS’ web trip planning, visit www.ridetransit.org or call (704) 336-RIDE.