Public transportation’s value as one of the solutions to relieving traffic congestion was proven once again by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) 2012 Urban Mobility Report.  The report, which was released today, examines road congestion in 498 United States urban areas in 2011.  As in past years, the data overwhelmingly show the importance of public transportation in relieving traffic congestion.  (See the table below for the top 40 urban areas.)

The 2012 Urban Mobility Report makes clear that without public transportation services, travelers would have suffered an additional 865 million hours of delay and consumed 450 million more gallons of fuel.  Had there not been public transportation service available in the 498 U.S. urban areas studied, congestion costs for 2011 would have risen by nearly $21 billion from $121 billion to $142 billion.

“This report demonstrates how important public transportation is, not only as one of the solutions to reducing traffic congestion, but also in reducing fuel use and travel delays,” said American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President and CEO Michael Melaniphy. “Mayors know that a city’s competitive position is enhanced by reducing congestion and public transportation is a key tool in minimizing congestion.”

“Everyone should support public transportation in their community since it offers many vital benefits,” said Melaniphy.  “For example, by taking a bus or train instead of driving, people can save money, something that is on everyone’s minds as gas prices continue to rise.  Not only does public transportation help people commute to work, the public transit industry offers good, American jobs.”

Public transportation is a $57 billion industry that directly employs nearly 400,000 people.  For every $1 billion invested in public transportation, 36,000 jobs are created and supported.   Public transportation plays an important role in helping people commute to work; nearly 60 percent of all trips on public transportation involve travel to and from job sites.

U.S. public transportation use also produces significant energy-savings benefits.  Each year 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline are saved because Americans use public transportation.  Using public transportation also has environmental benefits as 37 million metric tons of carbon emissions are saved annually.

“This report serves as further evidence that Congress needs to find the funding mechanism to support a long-term surface transportation bill that will increase public transportation service and ensure that our infrastructure needs are met,” said Melaniphy.  “As this report points out, traffic congestion will continue to increase.  We need more public transportation, not less.”

The urban areas listed below had the highest savings in hours of delay due to public transportation use in 2011.  Also, included in the following table are congestion cost savings from public transportation use.

To see the 2012 Urban Mobility Report, go to http://mobility.tamu.edu/ums/

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