Oregonian columnist Joseph Rose recently wrote about Regence employee Chris Teal's decision to give up his highly coveted parking spot in the company's downtown garage in favor of riding tranist:

"Adding up the bills -- gas, insurance, a car payment, the cheaper parking -- Teal said his one-hour drive from the Washington suburb was still costing him at least $750 a month. Today, with the help of Regence's employee commuter program, he pays just $25 every month for a C-Tran bus pass that takes him to work in the fast lane."

Rose then opines, "now that hard times have settled in, we need to consider the economics of getting around."  

Kudos to Regence for offering their employees commute options that benefit the workers and the community at large.  Still, the main point is clear:  $750 each month to drive vs. $25 to ride transit.  To me that's a no-brainer in any economic climate.