Commuter Lots Help Commuters Save Lots

JEFFERSON CITY - Gas prices causing a strain on your wallet? Tired of sitting in traffic?

Consider carpooling, says the Missouri Department of Transportation, which offers more than 6,000 free parking spaces for commuters statewide. MoDOT's commuter parking lots provide a reasonable solution for motorists wanting to save cash and reduce traffic congestion.

MoDOT maintains 101 commuter lots throughout the state, most of which are conveniently located near interstates or divided highways. Many of the parking areas are located in the state's metropolitan communities, with St. Louis offering 33 lots and Kansas City 31.

"We think that sometimes folks don't realize the lots are free and open to the public," says Jim Carney, state maintenance engineer. "We're trying to spread the word that people can park their cars there, share a ride with another driver and save money."

As of July 27, the national average gas price rang in at $2.29 per gallon. The average passenger car consumes about 625 gallons of gasoline a year, costing the average motorist almost $1,281 a year for gasoline alone. By using the commuter lots, motorists can save money on vehicle operating costs including gas, oil, tires and vehicle wear.

"We encourage all commuters to use our lots, which will save them cash and prevent wear and tear on their vehicles," Carney says.

A list of commuter parking lots can be found by following this link: List of Commuter Lots. Another good source of information is the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center, which offers information about carpooling programs at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/transportation/ridemap.htm