That Makes Cents: Commuting

WSVN -- With high gas prices having drivers stressed out, some are turning to carpooling as a way to save big bucks.

Guy Marcus: "It's like a $1,000 a year. I calculated that I save like $80 a month. It's definitely a significant savings."

Guy Marcus and three of his co-workers live in Broward and commute to Downtown Miami everyday. Because they have three or more people in their carpool they qualify for an express lane sticker, which means they don't have to pay tolls. That adds up to a savings of $500 a year. Since they started the carpool last summer, Guy has saved 3,000 miles on his car.

Guy Marcus: "So less wear and tear, less money to insure the cars, savings all around."

Another bonus, you save time too.

Guy Marcus: "We talk about work issues in the car, like extra time that's added to the day, so there's a time-saving factor involved as well."

But carpooling is not the only way to save, Tri-Rail offers commuters another option.

Denise Breitkreuz: "From my door to my office door is an hour and five minutes."

Denise Breitkreuz travels from Broward to Palm Beach County everyday. She says taking Tri-Rail means her commute time is never wasted.

Denise Breitkreuz: "I can do prep for classes. I can do reading. I can pull out my laptop and get a lot of work done on my laptop."

And she's saving a ton of money in gas.

Denise Breitkreuz: "I have to be saving at least over $200 a month."

And she is not alone, Jennifer Ryan from South Florida Commuter Services says Tri-Rail ridership is up.

Jennifer Ryan: "Especially with the economy the way it is, everybody is looking to save money on however they can do it ."

Saving time, money and the environment now That Makes Cents.

Craig Stevens: "Denise is taking her family to Hawaii this summer with the extra cash she saved by using Tri-Rail."