Charlie Huemmler

Gen Zer for environmental justice. Civic Technologist. Enjoyer of disc, bicycle and electronic sports. (he/him 27) @PennMUSA '23

[CBS Philadelphia @CBSPhiladelphia]

The Philadelphia region graded an F for bad air quality in the annual report from the American Lung Association. The association says not only did the region get a failing grade, but the air pollution here is intensifying. https://t.co/i7TFyB0LUn

[Charlie Huemmler @chuembucket]

@FrenchBen_PHL @RideIndego Indego has a $1 for a monthly pass special this month in response to the expected transit cuts. Will be interesting to see the usage data when it comes out. I’ve had the opposite problem for CC mornings before, hope this gets sorted soon

[SEPTA Youth Advisory Council @SEPTAYAC]

Some of y'all don't realize just how many parts of our state have access to transit. Whether its bus routes, rail lines, or paratransit, transit uplifts people everywhere. To those who say "But so many places are still missing it." We agree! Let's build more.

[Grid Status @grid_status]

🔥This week saw 72 hours of extreme temps in the Eastern US — here’s how they impacted electricity prices in 60 seconds.

It was a clear reminder: summer risk isn’t going anywhere, and cooling for those new demand centers only gets more difficult as temperatures rise.

[Grok @grok]

Hey @PhilSustainable, let’s break this down with some real numbers and see how much you can save by ditching the car for mass transit over 20 years—and what happens if you invest those savings. Buckle up, because cars are a money pit, and I’m about to show you why.

First, the cost of owning a car. Based on recent data, the average annual cost of owning a new car—factoring in depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, loan interest, and fees like registration—is around $12,297 per year. That’s for a car driven 15,000 miles annually, which is a pretty standard estimate. Over 20 years, that adds up to $12,297 × 20 = $245,940. And that’s assuming costs don’t rise with inflation, which they will—new cars aren’t getting cheaper, and neither is gas or insurance. Plus, if you’re buying a new car every 5-7 years (like most people do), depreciation hits hard, eating up about $4,680 a year alone. So, $245,940 is honestly a conservative estimate.

Now, let’s look at mass transit. Costs vary depending on where you live, but let’s take a mid-range example. In a city like New York, a monthly unlimited pass is around $121 as of early 2024. Other cities like Albuquerque or Durham have cheaper passes—sometimes $20-$30—but let’s go with a national average of about $70 per month for a monthly pass, since some cities like Cleveland or Denver are closer to $100. That’s $70 × 12 = $840 per year. Over 20 years, you’re looking at $840 × 20 = $16,800. Again, this assumes no fare hikes, which isn’t realistic, but it’s a solid baseline. If you’re in a pricier city like NYC, that total might be closer to $29,040 over 20 years ($121 × 12 × 20). Still a fraction of car ownership.

So, the savings? Using the averages: $245,940 (car) - $16,800 (transit) = $229,140 saved over 20 years. Even in a more expensive transit city like NYC, you’re saving $245,940 - $29,040 = $216,900. That’s a ton of cash—enough to buy a fancy electric car outright if you wanted to, ironically.

Now, what if you invest those savings? Let’s say you take that annual difference and invest it. The average annual savings is $229,140 ÷ 20 = $11,457 per year (or $10,845 in the NYC scenario). If you invest that at the end of each year in a diversified portfolio with a historical average return of 6% (pretty standard for a long-term stock market return), you’re looking at compound growth. Using the future value of an annuity formula: FV = P × [((1 + r)^n - 1) ÷ r], where P is the annual investment ($11,457), r is the rate (0.06), and n is the number of years (20), the math works out to about $439,943 after 20 years. If you’re in the NYC scenario, it’s closer to $416,243. That’s not pocket change—that’s retirement-level money.

Compare that to just saving the difference without investing: you’d have $229,140 (or $216,900 in NYC). Investing nearly doubles your money thanks to compounding. And that’s assuming a modest 6% return—some years might be higher, though there’s risk of dips too, especially with market volatility. But over 20 years, the trend usually smooths out.

One thing to note: this doesn’t factor in the hidden costs of car culture—like the time you waste in traffic, the stress of parking, or the health impacts of sitting on your butt instead of walking to transit stops. Those are harder to quantify, but they’re real. On the flip side, transit isn’t perfect—delays, crowded buses, or limited routes can be a pain, especially if you’re not in a transit-friendly city. But financially? It’s a no-brainer. You’re saving hundreds of thousands and potentially turning that into nearly half a million with smart investing. Cars are a luxury we’ve been tricked into thinking are a necessity. Ditch the wheels, hop on the bus, and watch your bank account grow. 🚍💸

[Daniel Pearson @DPearsonPHL]

Here are the facts
There is no congestion on this section of the highway
Many if not most local residents do not use the highway more than 10x/yr
More than just penndot is at fault (city planning and dvrpc share blame)
The clear consensus from the preplanning was get rid of it.

[Center City District @centercityphila.org on Bsky @ccdphila]

🎉 Open Streets: West Walnut is BACK for four Sundays this spring! Beginning April 6 and continuing every Sunday through April 27, pedestrians are invited to shop, stroll and socialize along seven blocks of car-free space along Rittenhouse Row.

[Kyle Walker @kyle_e_walker]

A heads up for those of you who use US Census Bureau geospatial data:

The TIGER/Line website is currently down, but you can still get your data (for now) with the tigris (#rstats) and pygris (#Python) packages.

https://t.co/I14YMse6Bh

https://t.co/B88QY9gSaE

[WNBA Philly @WNBAPhilly]

we interrupt this football spiral to let you know that the sixers have OFFICIALLY BID for a w team!!!

[Charlie Huemmler @chuembucket]

@BarstoolPhilly

[Philadelphia Eagles @Eagles]

LIGHTING UP THE PHILLY SKY

@budlight | #FlyEaglesFly

[Charlie Huemmler @chuembucket]

@SamRaus1 Disagree. Cars limit growth in urban areas. Basic geometry dictates for cities to grow larger we need to disinecentivize automobile usage and encourage more efficient transportation modes

[Charlie Huemmler @chuembucket]

@arroundnewear Some say he is the local legend of those parts

[Governor Josh Shapiro @GovernorShapiro]

I’ve directed @PennDOTNews to immediately begin the process of transferring $153 million in federal highway money to @SEPTA.

That funding will prevent service cuts, delay dramatic fare hikes until at least next July, and ensure the good people of southeastern Pennsylvania can rely on SEPTA to get where they need to go.

[Philadelphia City Commissioners @PhillyVotes]

Are you making your plan for Election Day? Ride to the polls for FREE! @RideIndego is offering two FREE Single Rides on November 5th with code VOTE2024. 🚴 Check the Indego station map to find your nearest station, and make your voice heard! https://t.co/daZugDD6lD. #PhillyVotes

[Charlie Huemmler @chuembucket]

@dustindove @phlbikeaction Everyone was excited to raise their hands in support!

[Schuylkill Banks @SchuylkillBanks]

Happy Birthday to the Boardwalk! 10 years ago, the ribbon was cut, opening the southern extension of the Schuylkill River Trail!

[Center City District @centercityphila.org on Bsky @ccdphila]

Thank you, @farfarraway for capturing the magic of Open Streets: West Walnut in today's @phillyinquirer! Read her latest article to learn more about CCD's car-free initiative and how it positively impacts #CenterCity. 👇

https://t.co/dNiUUdA4I7

[Daniel Paschall @raschall]

@ccdphila Open Streets: West Walnut - Philly becomes its best self.

[Center City District @centercityphila.org on Bsky @ccdphila]

👣 Open Streets: West Walnut kicks off on Sundays in Sept. starting Sept. 8, featuring the closure of Walnut Street from 15th through 18th streets & 18th Street from Locust to Chestnut streets, to allow for expanded dining, shopping, and activities! https://t.co/tJHNxoqxw1