MTS launches online affordability calculator to do the math for a cheaper commute

As rising gas prices and inflation continue to drain household budgets, San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System has introduced a new online tool designed to help commuters determine whether switching to public transit could save them money.

The MTS Affordability Calculator allows users to compare the cost of driving — including fuel, parking and other expenses — with the price of riding buses and trolleys.

The tool comes at a critical time, as global tensions, including the war in Iran, have contributed to spikes in fuel prices.

“Commuters feel the pinch in their wallet and they want to get some relief,” Hector Zermeño, an MTS public relations specialist told NBC 7. “They tend to gravitate towards mass transit which is the most cost efficient way to save money in many cases,” he said.

By entering details such as commute distance and frequency, users can see a side-by-side comparison of potential savings. In some cases, MTS said, switching to transit could save riders hundreds of dollars each month.

The calculator also highlights how commuting habits extend beyond the traditional weekday routine.

Katie Nugent took the trolley to the start line of the 15th annual GOVX San Diego Half Marathon downtown, Sunday morning. 

She lives in Clairemont, works in East County, and often runs on the coastline. Nugent owns a car, but gas prices aren’t her only concern.

“I go running in Pacific Beach a lot. I’m scared because I don’t know where I can park. I don’t want to pay for lots (or parking meters) because it adds up. I don’t want to take Ubers either because that really adds up,” she said.

For $5, adult passengers can travel round trip anywhere the system operates — a price many riders say is hard to beat. Senior citizens pay $2.50, and some youth are free.

M.G. Perez

M.G. Perez

Tourists are also turning to public transportation to cut costs. Brian and Sheila Gomez, visiting from Pueblo, Colorado, opted against renting a car during their trip for the NCAA tournament.

“It’s very efficient, it’s on time, I feel safe,” Brian Gomez said. “That’s why this morning instead of taking an Uber we’re trying to get to San Diego State on the Green Line.”

The American Automobile Association (AAA) offers another online tool, the Gas Cost Calculator that estimates how much gas might cost for a trip between specific cities. It’s an option for long-distance trips which many drivers are taking during Spring Break this month.

The calculation takes into account several factors, including the current national gas price average, your starting location, destination, and your vehicle’s make, model, and year.