Marines look to alternative commuting

18 Jul 2008 | Lance Cpl. Jose Nava Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Record high fuel prices have depot personnel turning to alternative forms of transportation.

The use of public transportation, bicycles, and carpools are on the rise. The rising price of fuel has led some people to drive less frequently.

“The way that I compensate for the rising gas cost is that I limit how far I drive, and I drive considerably less often instead of making changes to my budget,” said Pfc. Matt A. Adams, warehouse clerk, Service Company.

Many San Diegans have recently bought bicycles as an alternative to driving.

“There is a 20-to-30 percent increase in bike sales lately because of the rise in gas prices,” said Mo Karimi, owner of San Diego Bike Shop. “Sometimes we are out of stock on bikes and bike parts because the demand is so high locally and nationwide.”

But if a service member lives too far to bicycle to work and doesn’t want to pay the full price of public transportation, there is the Transportation Incentive Program available to Navy and Marine Corps military members, federal Department of the Navy civilian employees, nonappropriated fund employees, part-time federal employees and interns,  and reservists on active duty for more than 30 days.

Commuter buses and trains, light rail, van pools and ferries are recognized mass transportation systems which qualify for the benefit. Carpools, personally owned vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes and walkers do not qualify for the benefit.

Through TIP, members can be reimbursed up to $115 per month in specific pre-approved commuter mass transportation costs. TIP is designed to pay for the transportation costs incurred by personnel in their local commute from their home to their permanent duty station.

Requests for TIP vouchers have increased on the depot, according to Sgt. Jordan Kaufenberg, internal affairs, finance.

“On average, I get requests for applications about three times a day,” said Kaufenberg.

Alternative means of travel also provide commuters a different view of San Diego. The trolley runs north as far as Santee Town Center to as far south as San Ysidro Transit Center by the U.S. /Mexico border.

The price of a one-way ticket on the trolley depends on the distance traveled and can range from $1.25 to $3. All-day passes cost $5.

Another way to travel is by the Coaster, and the tickets can range from $4 to $5 for a one-way trip. The furthest north the Coaster goes is Oceanside and Santa Fe Depot is the farthest south it travels.

Carpool programs can also save time and money. Locating people in which to carpool with are available through programs on the internet, such as eRideShare.com. Here, commuters find others who are heading in the same direction at specific times of the day.

For personnel who still want to drive themselves, the gas station aboard the depot is consistently less expensive then gas stations off base.

Gasoline on base is 20 to 30 cents cheaper then many gas stations off base.

“Service members are really getting a deal,” said Jerry Jones, depot service station supervisor.

Jones has also noticed a decrease in lower-mileage vehicles frequenting the gas station, as well as people driving smaller cars.

“There are still some sport utility vehicles but many people are starting to switch to smaller cars,” said Jones.

Though the prices at the pump are taking a chunk out of wallets, a little research can help provide alternative means of transportation.


Marine Corps Training and Education Command