Tommy Moss

fter six years of riding VTA buses, Tommy Moss can rattle off multiple benefits he has experienced while riding public transportation.

There are the buses that allow him to bring his bike along, buses that are punctual and operators with cheery attitudes are among the benefits he lists.

“If I had a car,” Moss said, “I would be spending $25 or more a week just on gas.    It (VTA bus service) just works out a lot better.   Plus, it is better for the environment.”

Moss may not realize his estimated weekly savings of $25 is likely low.   A national survey conducted by a respected non-profit public transportation group pegged the savings at $9293 annually when one person in a family of two workers starts riding public transportation instead of driving.

Putting the subject of estimated cost savings aside and returning to this week’s featured rider, Moss rides Lines 68 or 168 between the Gilroy Transit Center and San Jose at least three times a week for work and also regularly uses other routes to get to places like Palo Alto, Mountain View and East San Jose.