Often, when you decide to live somewhere amazing, you pay the price with your wallet. And that’s how life on Long Island is. There are excellent schools, popular beaches, parks, and job opportunities, but it’s an island, so it can’t get any bigger. The limit on size increases the demand in the housing market, resulting in a high cost of living.
So, if you find yourself paying the price to live on Long Island, you’ll probably appreciate the following tips to lower transportation costs and help you save. We’ll cover public transit, rideshare options, alternative transportation, and securing the cheapest car insurance in Long Island, NY.
Tip #1 – Use Public Transportation More Often
You can save with a monthly unlimited pass if you’re a regular traveler. In addition to paying a flat rate no matter how many trips you take, you can also receive an extra 10% off.
Another option for frequent travelers who don’t make enough trips to justify an unlimited pass is to purchase a 20-trip ticket that lasts 60 days and provides 20% off the peak fare.
One Metro New York, or OMNY as it’s commonly known, is the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) payment system. And thanks to new OMNY fare caps, once you take 12 trips on a bus or subway during a week, the rest of your fares are free. These savings happen automatically if you use the same electronic device or card for all your fares.
With how accessible public transportation is to individuals in Long Island, many people choose not to own a car and just rent a car frequently or as needed for specific occasions like a vacation.
Tip #2 – Don’t Get Stuck in a Rideshare Rut
New York City used to be known for its taxis, but now other ridesharing firms are here to stay. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and use one rideshare service, but if you get familiar with your options — and there are a lot — you can choose the best choice for your travel needs.
Some offer flat-rate fares for short trips, while others have introductory savings. Watch for sales, and remember that some services offer discounted rates for carpooling customers.
Tip #3 – Explore Alternative Transportation
Biking and walking are not only cheap methods of transportation, but they’ll also help you get into better shape.
In addition, you can combine walking with other forms of transportation to help you save. For example, you could choose a carpool or rideshare that takes you close to where you’re going and walk the rest of the way instead of hiring a cab for door-to-door service.
Tip #4 – Maximize Insurance Discounts
If you have a car on Long Island, you’re well-acquainted with the high cost of insurance you have to pay. By taking a few steps, you can likely find a lower rate:
- Compare quotes – As your circumstances change, your current insurer may not still be the best fit. By comparing quotes, you can see how much you can save by switching and then decide if it’s time to change providers.
- Evaluate your coverage – You may not need to pay for optional coverage types as your car ages. Maybe you can drop full coverage, or perhaps with the option of ridesharing and public transit, you can drop rental car provision.
- Increase your deductible – The higher your deductible is, the lower your monthly premiums are. If you can set aside more money for a deductible, you might as well save monthly.
- Look for discounts – If you looked at discounts a couple of years ago, it’s time to check again because new discounts could have been added, or you could be eligible for ones you didn’t qualify for before.
Saving a hundred or more dollars a month on transportation costs can help you manage your budget better and save more.
See how much you could save by following the tips outlined above.
Melanie Musson writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsureSavings.org. She’s passionate about helping others understand how insurance provides a foundation for financial stability.
