The value of public transportation has been validated once again by the newly released Texas Transportation Institute (TTI)’s annual congestion report, the 2009 Urban Mobility Report, which concludes that the cost of congestion increased in 2007 in the 439 urban areas studied.
According to the 2009 Urban Mobility Report, public transportation saved 646 million hours in travel time and 398 million gallons of fuel. Without public transportation, the report states that congestion costs would have risen 16 percent to an additional $13.7 billion since 2005. This TTI congestion report finds that in the largest urban areas, where transit is most available and used, the savings are the greatest, demonstrating the value of public transportation investment.
“This highly respected report, which shows that traffic congestion is still a major problem on our nation’s roads, also drives home the value of public transit in helping to reduce congestion,” said American Public Transportation Association President William Millar.
“Traffic congestion affects everyone,” said Millar. “It not only wastes people’s time and money, but it also hurts our country’s economic productivity, makes us consume more gasoline, and damages our environment.”
Public transportation promotes economic growth and helps our country meet its national goals of reducing greenhouse gases and moving to greater energy independence. Every year, 37 million metric tons of carbon emissions and 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline are saved due to U.S. public transportation use.
“Public transportation has a proven track record of helping to reduce traffic, carbon emissions, and gasoline usage, and increased investment is needed at all levels of government—federal, state, and local,” said Millar. “With the September 30 expiration of SAFETEA-LU fast approaching, it is important for Congress to take immediate action to ensure that new federal legislation for public transit and highways is enacted as soon as possible.”
To read the 2009 Urban Mobility Report, go to http://mobility.tamu.edu