MBTA touts cost savings - study shows T riders save $13K per year

Posted by Ted McEnroe September 4, 2008 at 10:52 am

The MBTA is touting a new survey that shows Boston residents could save more than $13,000 per year by taking mass transit instead of driving into the city and - even more challenging - paying for parking.

The T touts the American Public Transportation Association’s “Transit Savings Report”. The report is a monthly analysis that shows the average annual savings represents more than one third more than the average amount a household pays for food in a year, according to the Food Institute ($6,111).

APTA’s monthly “Transit Savings Report” shows how much a person can save on a monthly and yearly basis by taking public transportation and living with one less car in his or her household. The report reminds commuters that taking public transportation is the quickest way to save money compared with the high cost of commuting by auto or light truck, and it includes the cost of parking.

The top 20 cites with the highest ridership are ranked in order of their transit savings based on the purchase of a monthly public transportation pass and factoring in today’s local gas prices and the local monthly unreserved parking rate.*

Top Twenty Cities – Transit Savings Report

City Annual Savings
1 Boston $13,490
2 New York $13,431
3 San Francisco $12,648
4 Chicago $11,738
5 Philadelphia $11,346
6 Seattle $11,327
7 Honolulu $11,215
8 Washington DC $10,593
9 Los Angeles $10,455
10 Minneapolis $10,302
11 San Diego $10,233
12 Cleveland $10,072
13 Denver $9,947
14 Portland $9,916
15 Baltimore $9,654
16 Miami $9,320
17 Atlanta $9,129
18 Dallas $9,095
19 Las Vegas $9,038
20 Pittsburgh $8,589

(Excuse the formatting - I’m not going to turn this into a table… you get the idea anyway.)

More on electrolyzers from owner of Xavier Technologies

Posted by Ted McEnroe September 1, 2008 at 2:02 pm

A few weeks back, we noted a posting from a gentleman named Denys mentioning electrolyzers from Xavier Technologies as a way to save fuel. He didn’t mention at the time that Xavier Technologies was *his* company. But I linked his mention to a piece from the New York Times suggesting hydrogen products like his were not backed up by science.

Denys responded quickly, but it got sort of lost in the posting shuffle, and it deserved a more featured place.

So here it is. Sorry, Denys - wasn’t trying to edit you out.

I am the owner of the company listed in this posting. I have also read the New York Times article (referred to) concerning electrolyzers. Jim Motavalli, who wrote the article, obviously didn’t do much research. If you can’t find scientific fact to back this up, you’re not looking very hard. Try the library or the National Hydrogen Association (online). The opinion of a New York Times reporter who does inadequate research before writing an article or the “myth busters” hardly constitutes “science”.

First of all, I agree that there are a lot of scams out there ( the Tornado & magnetizer) to name a couple, and many more people who just don’t know what they’re doing. The “myth busters” are two of them or just bought a “bogus” product for their experiment. I’d also be willing to bet that they didn’t use the proper electronics. Electrolyzers are being utilized in industrial equipment such as welders. I am an affiliate for a company that makes electrolyzers and you don’t offer a guarantee on a product that doesn’t work.

The sensors in your car constantly monitor the a/f ratio and sends a small voltage to the computer. A higher voltage tells the computer you are burning too “rich” and a lower voltage means too “lean”. The proper electronics associated with an electrolyzer adds a floating voltage to the existing voltage telling the computer that you are burning too rich and subsequently cuts back on the gas flow. I guess another way to look at this would be that the extra voltage compensates for the added oxygen in the system. This decreased flow in gas is replaced by the hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer. I think that we can all agree that hydrogen is much more combustible than gas. I get very defensive concerning my credibility and reputation. The bottom line is; I have one in my car and IT WORKS.

If you’re thinking about it… do your research, and decide your comfort level before spending any money on any product. I think Denys and I could agree on that.

Electrolyzers - a great fuel saver? Science says NO.

Posted by Ted McEnroe August 7, 2008 at 6:24 pm

A viewer sent us a quick tip for something he felt might help motorists - they’re called electrolyzers.

The high price of gas has prompted some people to go online and look for fuel saving devices. After some research and sifting through the garbage, an electrolyzer (supplemental hydrogen) has the most credibility. A company (in Massachusetts) sells these products. For a $1,000 or less for cars, an electrolyzer can generate significant savings in fuel economy and (at the price of gas) would be a good investment and not take too long to pay for itself. The “automotive” page at www.xaviertechnologies.com is very informative and using less gas is definitely a step in the right direction.

The bad news? There’s no actual science to suggest these things work. The New York Times looked at the issue this week.

The conclusion? It’s a con. Want to cut your costs? Don’t spend money on one of these.

A nice escape, without the travel

Posted by Ted McEnroe July 29, 2008 at 3:32 pm

NECN has signed on a new partner for our ‘Cut Your Costs’ campaign, and they’re offering a nice getaway that provides an escape and a bonding experience — without a lot of travel.

The Clarion Nantasket Beach Resort Hotel & Spa in Hull, Massachusettls is offering a “Ladies Quick Escape Spa Getaway” designed to give moms, daughters, friends and sisters a little chance to reconnect and relax.

The package for two people includes a one-night stay in a deluxe room, two Swedish Massages or Citrus Body Scrubs, Two Spa Manicures and Two Pedicures, as well a meal credit in Raffael’s oceanfront restaurant and lounge - for $499.99. The resort says the spa services alone would run to nearly $400.

The Clarion’s rooms feature jet tubs, fireplaces, private balconies overlooking the Atlantic, and free internet. The resort also features an indoor/outdoor pool, Raffael’s Restaurant, The Sand Dollar Spa and Ocean Fitness Health Club, and Natural Surroundings Gift Shop.

For information contact: 781 925-4500 and ask about the Ladies’ Quick Escape Spa Get-a-Way package deal. It’s a chance to feel the sand between your perfectly-pedicured toes, without the travel headaches.

High gas prices have commuters taking the T

Posted by Allison Sonfist July 28, 2008 at 4:53 pm

This one is sort of a no-brainer. If you don’t like paying high gas prices, plus parking and other charges, try the subway! Rising gas prices sent commuters flocking to the MBTA in record numbers over the last 12 months. The MBTA said the largest increases came in ridership on buses and light rail, such as the Green Line.

Cut Your Costs: One Tank Trips

Posted by Ted McEnroe July 10, 2008 at 3:27 pm

The high cost of gas doesn’t have to mean you need to cancel your vacation plans.

Tom Brosnahan of newenglandtravelplanner.com joined the ‘Good Morning Live’ crew with a bunch of trips you can take on just one tank of gas.

Saving on sunscreen - go generic?

Posted by Ted McEnroe July 3, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Walking into the sunscreen aisle can feel a little overwhelming for both your brain and your pocketbook.

But apparently you don’t have to go pricey for the best protection. NECN’s Ally Donnelly forwarded over the Environmental Working Group’s list of the Top 10 sunscreens on the market, and there are some store-brands on the list.

You might not get all the pretty purfume - but at least the EWG says you’ll be protected.

Here’s their list:

1. Blue Lizard (anything without oxybenzone)
2. California Baby (anything with SPF 30+)
3. CVS with zinc oxide
4. Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas Mineral Based Sunblock
5. Kiss My Face “Paraben Free” series
6. Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock
7. Olay Defense Daily UV Moisturizer (with zinc)
8. SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense
9. Solar Sense Clear Zinc for Face
10. Walgreens Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose, & Ears

The link above also gets you to their full-page recommendations for the best way to use sunscreens, and what to look for.

Finding cheap(er) gas on the 4th

Posted by Ted McEnroe July 2, 2008 at 12:11 pm

With the 4th of July coming up, and people heading out, what are the resources you can use to find cheap gas, both before you leave and while you’re on the road.

Before you leave:

First, get the official word on prices where you’re headed. AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report shows you the average prices for cities and states all around the country.

Then, you can start drilling down to sniff out the best prices locally before you leave, and in the places you’ll pass through along the way. The site Gas Buddy has exploded in traffic as the number of people sweating gas prices rises. You can sort their lists by state, or search for gas prices in a community. Gas Buddy counts on reports from actual people out in the field, so information may vary depending on how many people are reporting.

The stripped-down Gas Buddy to Go service is set up to work well with mobile phones - I didn’t give it much of a test, but it is limited in its fuctionality. But if you know where you are, it can give you a quick roundup in that town.

MapQuest is trying to get into the act as well, putting their gas price reports on local maps, in case you aren’t sure which towns are where along the way. A quick check of the Boston-area map seems to leave a little to be decided in terms of number of stations, but the mapping feature can be helpful if you’re trying to explore multiple towns.

Or maybe, you’ve done the math and realized you can’t afford to move across town, never mind across the state for the 4th. Why not stay home and shop for a new car at Fueleconomy.gov? There are also ideas there for making your car more fuel efficient. It’s not the most exciting site ever, but considering it’s your tax dollars at work - might as well check it out.

Driving: smarter, safer, cheaper

Posted by admin June 17, 2008 at 7:20 pm

(NECN) - With the average price of gasoline now averaging nearly four dollars a gallon, many drivers are looking for new ways to save on fuel costs.

Joining us with a few tips and tricks is Phil Gott, Director of Automotive consulting for Global Insight.

Some of his suggestions include:

1) How you drive
light foot
Coast to stops, anticipating the need to stop as much as possible (no sense burning up fuel only to burn up brakes)
Keep speeds moderate
Accelerate moderately
Keep a steady foot on the accelerator - no pumping the throttle as you go along - and maintain at least once car length for every 10 mph between you and the car in front. Not only is this a safety tip, but it gives you a buffer to
Use cruise control as much as possible to maintain a steady speed.
Don’t “rev” the engine more than needed to get up to speed

2) Maintenance
Tire pressure
Wheel alignment
Air filter
Good brand and type of engine oil
Differential/final drive - synthetic oils with friction modifiers - wear out after ~35,000 miles and should be drained and replaced
Brakes
No roof racks/bike racks in the air stream
No junk in your trunk! Every pound of excess load costs about 1 gallon of fuel in 100,000 miles.

3) Buy only the vehicle you need
Buy for your every day use. need something bigger for trips? Rent it!
Urban driving, small engine, hybrid
Highway driving, small engine with turbo charger
Diesel is advantageous for fuel consumption - especially good for towing, but with the price of diesel now the fuel economy advantage is neutralized due to the high cost of the fuel.

Eating well (and cheaply) on the road

Posted by admin June 17, 2008 at 7:12 pm

(NECN) - We mark the second day of our Cut Your Costs campaign here on Good Morning Live.

All week long we’ll be bringing you tricks and tips to cut down on your expenses throughout the year.

Joining us now with some tips to save on food during the summer vacation season is Annie Copps, senior food editor of Yankee Magazine.

SAVING MONEY ON FOOD WHILE ON VACATION

1. Bring a cooler with you and pack snacks & beverages

2. Eat your big meal at lunch.

3. Eat seasonal foods.

4.Ask the locals (or cab drivers) and avoid the tourist traps

5. Get the local paper and look for

a. food festivals (chowder fest)

b. pancake breakfast fund-raisers

c. coupons

d. early bird specials

e. senior and “under 5″ discounts

6. Eat at the grocery store (soup and salad bars)

7. Avoid the mini bar (bring your own)

8. Happy hour — they’re not just for cocktails, there is always food, too (tip well)

9. Appetizers — 2 appetizers and a salad rather than an appetizer and entree

10. Drink filtered water rather than bottled at restaurants

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