The 13th annual American Public Transportation Association (APTA) National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 21 is a day to highlight the many benefits of using public transportation.
From urban to suburban to rural communities, public transportation is a vital resource to Americans, and a cornerstone of our nation’s economy and local economies. In fact, public transportation helps to make a community economically competitive. Additionally, public transportation provides economic opportunities since 87 percent of public transit trips directly impact the economy.
Many people park their cars and take public transportation instead. According to APTA’s latest Transit Savings Report, a two-person household can save, on the average, $10,134 a year by downsizing to one car.
Public transportation use reduces our nation’s dependence on foreign oil by 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline a year and it also saves 37 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually.
Quick Facts
- In 2017, Americans took 10.1 billion trips on public transportation.
- Since 1995, public transit ridership is up 30%, outpacing population growth, which is up 22%, and vehicle miles traveled, which is up 33%.
- People board public transportation 34 million times each weekday.
- Public transportation is a $68 billion industry that employs more than 420,000 people.
- More than 7,700 organizations provide public transportation in the United States.
- 45% of Americans have no access to public transportation.
- Millenials consider public transportation as the best option for digital socializing and among the best for connecting with communities.
Public Transportation Provides Economic Opportunities
- Every $1 invested in public transportation generates $4 in economic returns.
- Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates more than 50,000 jobs.
- Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased business sales.
- Every $10 million in operating investment yields $32 million in increased business sales.
- 71% of public funding for public transportation flows to the private sector, creating and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.
- Home values performed 42% better than when located near high-frequency public transit.
- Hotels in cities with direct rail access to airports raise 11% more revenue per room than hotels in those cities without.
Public Transportation Is a Safer Way to Travel Than by Automobile
- A person can reduce his or her chance of being in an accident by more than 90% simply by taking public transit as opposed to commuting by car.
- Traveling by public transportation is 10 times safer per mile than traveling by automobile.
Public Transportation Saves Money
- The average household spends 18 cents of every dollar on transportation, and 96% of this goes to buying, maintaining, and operating cars, the largest expenditure after housing.
- A household can save nearly $10,000 by taking public transportation and living with one less car.
Public Transportation Reduces Gasoline Consumption
- Public transportation's overall effects save the United States 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually.
Public Transportation Reduces Carbon Footprint
- Communities that invest in public transit reduce the nation's carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.
Public Transportation Enhances Personal Opportunities
- Public transportation provides personal mobility and freedom for people from every walk of life.
- Access to public transportation gives people transportation options to get to work, go to school, visit friends, or go to a doctor's office.
- A total of 87% of trips on public transit have a direct impact on the local economy.
- Of all riders, 71% are employed and 7% are students.
- More than two-thirds of riders walk to their stop or station.
Resources
- Use this fuel calculator to compare the price of using public transportation with the price of paying at the pump and then parking your car in town!
- Or use this carbon saving calculator to help estimate the potential reduction of carbon dioxide emissions you can achieve by switching part or all of your travel to public transportation!
For more information, visit www.apta.com.