According to Florida PIRG analysis, the average family is spending close to $100 a week on gasoline, and transportation has become the second highest household expense—more than food, clothing, or even health care.

In July, Florida PIRG applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing HR 6052, the Saving Energy through Public Transportation Act, which would authorize more than $80 million for transit projects in Florida and $1.7 billion nationally.Unfortunately, the Senate is not expected to consider the bill.

“Federal, state, and local governments must invest in solutions to oil dependence through more and better public transportation,” said Brad Ashwell, Florida PIRG consumer advocate.

Public Ahead Of Policy

Florida drivers have responded to higher gas costs by taking public transportation at record rates. Unfortunately, government policy isn’t keeping up by investing in the necessary alternatives to driving.

“Modern buses, light rail, commuter rail and other forms of transportation more efficiently move passengers with less fuel. Transit also reduces traffic congestion and encourages more compact development patterns which, in turn, further reduce the amount Floridians must drive,” said Ashwell.

This new analysis by Florida PIRG shows that public transportation created a net oil savings of 3.4 billion gallons in 2006—that’s enough to fuel almost 6 million cars for an entire year, and, at today’s prices, amounts to $13.6 billion in savings.

Miami-Dade Transit alone saved Floridians from using 19.6 million gallons of oil and $59.6 million in gasoline.

Florida PIRG will continue pushing for more federal public transit funding for state projects.

Read more • Check out the full "Squandering The Stimulus report"

During the 2008 Florida legislative session, Florida PIRG worked with the Health CHECK coalition to pass SB 1488, the Consumers Right to Information Act, by Sen. Charlie Dean (Inverness), and Rep. Juan Zapata (Miami).

Unlike all other service providers, hospitals have historically been exempt from disclosing their pricing, leading to less cost competition and little public knowledge about unfair pricing practices.

“We applaud lawmakers for passing SB 1488,” said Richard Polangin, Florida PIRG’s policy coordinator. “Making more price information available will empower those paying high out-of-pocket prices while moving us a step closer to reversing the strong tradition of price secrecy in the medical industry.”

Read more • Read the news release