I heard recently that the MTA is set to start increasing their advertising revenues even more with the emergence of new ad covered trains, neighborhood-targeted video ads on buses, and wrapped ads around some of the turnstiles (which I’ve already seen in the 42nd St Q station). With the talks of hiking the MetroCard up EVEN MORE, alternative transportation has been on my mind a lot lately. Since lowering the fares (or at least keeping them frozen) is most likely not an option, here are four ways to save some of your cash from being wasted on transportation.

1. Always buy monthly Metro cards. If you work a full-time job and you take the train or the bus every day, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be buying monthly Metrocards, instead of the assortment of other options. This card is by far the bigger savings. I plead my case to everyone I see purchasing weekly or per ride cards, and the biggest perpetrator is our own Jeffrey Wilson. I am forever trying to persuade him to buy the $81 cards, but he insists on paying $24 for a Weekly pass. He could save an additional $15 a month if he’d only plan ahead and buy the monthly card in advance.

2. Car Pool. This doesn’t resonate with every New Yorker, but out in the bowels of Brooklyn, lots of people drive. I suppose it’s the same for the other boroughs too. When you live in such close proximity to your neighbors, have kids that go to the same schools, and work close to each other, it doesn’t make sense to drive individual vehicles to work and back. Check with your neighbors and start a neighborhood car pool by getting together people who work near you and whose schedules are similar. You’ll save a ton on gas, and you’ll have extra time when you aren’t driving to focus on something other than traffic on your commute.

3. Walk instead of taking cabs. We all wish that we had the sort of disposable income that allows one to hail cabs to dinner three nights a week with friends or home from work, but the reality is that cabs are freakin’ expensive. And, are a good majority of the time, unnecessary. But what about when you’re running late, you may ask. Well, if you’re running late to something ten or fifteen blocks away, and it’s between the hours of 5pm and 8pm, chances are you’re going to be late either way. And walking may even get you there more quickly. I’m always surprised at how fast I can trek from 42nd to 14th Street (and trust I am no athlete).

4. Bike. This is everyone’s favorite — and my least favorite. I haven’t straddled a bike seat in a good decade, so the chances of me forging onward with this one are pretty minimal. It does, however, have its perks. If you live in a borough, you get to bike over one of the bridges in the morning. I can only imagine how breathtaking and beautiful a way that must be to start your day. If you’re located in the city, you’re pretty much guaranteed a swift commute home, away from the annoying quirks of buses and trains. And, you’re also out in the brisk air, getting exercise — and for New Yorkers, that’s some serious multi-tasking.

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