News Release
More Vacationers Say They Will Use Public Transit as Compared to Last Year
May 19, 2008
Mantill Williams
(202) 496-4869
mwilliams@apta.com
Virginia Miller
(202) 496-4816
vmiller@apta.com
(Download In Adobe PDF format)
WASHINGTON, DC – A growing number of thrifty vacationers will be taking advantage of the local subway trains and buses while vacationing in U.S. cities this summer, according to an American Public Transportation Association survey released today. Thirty-five percent of those who will use public transit while visiting a city said they are more likely to use it this summer as opposed to last year. This represents a seven percent increase from last year’s Green Travel Forecast survey by APTA.
The proportion of urban visitors this summer that will use public transportation is as high as 53 percent – a five percent increase – in New York City, the nation’s top destination for transit use by visitors. Almost all of the major city destinations are projected to see transit use by vacationers increase this summer. A ranking of the top ten city destinations and their public transit use among visitors follows:
| New York City |
(53 percent - up 5 percent) |
| Washington, DC |
(47 percent - up 1 percent) |
| Boston |
(48 percent - up 5 percent) |
| San Francisco |
(40 percent – remained constant) |
| Philadelphia |
(38 percent - up 4 percent) |
| Chicago |
(35 percent - up 4 percent) |
| Seattle |
(32 percent – up 2 percent) |
| Las Vegas |
(30 percent – up 4 percent) |
| Los Angeles |
(31 percent – up 5 percent) |
| Atlanta |
(25 percent – up 3 percent) |
Cities are the number one destination for American adults for the Memorial Day summer kick-off weekend. Of those who plan to travel this memorial holiday, 48 percent say they will vacation in a city during this weekend. For the first time, this survey of 68,400 adults shows a growing trend of travelers using public transit this summer once they arrive at their destination. Synovate, a leading market research firm, conducted the survey for APTA.
“With soaring gas prices, the expense of parking your car or renting a vehicle, a growing number of travelers say they will use the local bus and train as the quickest way to save money while visiting major cities,” said William W. Millar, president of APTA. “Travelers also like the fact that its use helps make the environment greener while they can keep more green in their wallet.”
Reducing the cost to get around a city was the top concern when travelers listed the most important reasons they would use public transportation during their city trip this summer. Forty-nine percent said it would be less expensive than taxicabs or rental cars, followed by 46 percent who said they won’t have to worry about finding a parking space for their vehicle, and 34 percent said it will be less expensive than buying gas to drive their personal vehicle.
The cost savings for travelers using public transportation are significant. A traveler can purchase a visitors pass for a local public transportation system and ride all day for as little as $3 to $10. That is a fraction of what it would cost to rent a car and park it, or take numerous cab rides around the city, or buy gas and park a vehicle. For instance, the daily parking rate for midtown New York is $42, in Boston it is $33 and San Francisco it is $27.
The most popular activity for those using public transportation while visiting a city is sightseeing (62 percent), followed by restaurant dining and nightlife (47 percent), shopping (46 percent), travel to and from their place of lodging (40 percent), visiting a historical site (38 percent), and travel to and from the airport (38 percent).
Travelers who originate from large metropolitan areas are more likely to take advantage of a city’s local public transportation system. Fifty percent of those traveling to a city who use transit on their trip are from large urban areas, while 24 percent are from medium-sized metro areas and 27 percent are from smaller cities and towns.
To assist travelers, APTA is providing specific information on day and visitor passes, trip planners, transit maps and directions for cities across the country. Go to www.publictransportation.org.
“With growing concerns about the economy, many Americans this summer will look to save money by traveling closer to home to the nearest city destination,” said Millar. “Public transportation gives travelers the opportunity to stretch their travel budget while gaining a unique local tour of the area and that can only be experienced on the city’s local public transportation system.”
“With growing concerns about the economy, many Americans this summer will look to save money by traveling closer to home to the nearest city destination,” said Millar. “Public transportation gives travelers the opportunity to stretch their travel budget while gaining a unique local tour of the area and that can only be experienced on the city’s local public transportation system.”
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APTA is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services and products. APTA members serve more than 90 percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada.
Synovate is a leading global market research firm. Synovate’s Travel & Leisure practice provides research expertise and client service to the travel, tourism, transportation, hospitality, and cruise industries. More information on Synovate is available at www.synovate.com.
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