Public transportation plays a significant role in finding smart solutions to the challenges facing America today. An increased investment in public transportation creates jobs and boosts economic growth.
Public transportation creates jobs
- Every $1 billion invested in public transportation capital and operations creates and supports an average of 36,000 jobs.
- These 36,000 jobs result in roughly $3.6 billion in business sales and generate nearly $500 million in federal, state, and local tax revenues.
- Federal investment provides more than $10 billion annually for public transportation. This investment creates jobs and helps transit systems meet the demand for public transit services.
- Consistent long-term federal funding sources are essential to plan and finance major public transportation capital projects that have tremendous economic impact on the local economy.
- Seventy-four percent of government funding for transit is spent creating and supporting hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs.
Public transportation benefits families and businesses
- For every $1 invested in public transportation, $4 is generated in economic returns.
- Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation can return up to $30 million in business sales alone.
- An individual can achieve an average annual savings of more than $9,700 by taking public transportation instead of driving and by living with one less car.
- Public transportation is a $57 billion industry that employs more than 400,000 people.
Public transportation gets individuals where they need to go
- In 2012, Americans took 10.5 billion trips on public transportation.
- The American public supports increased funding for public transportation. Even as the economy slowed, 79 percent of all transitrelated ballot initiatives passed throughout the country in 2012.
- Public transportation takes people to work, and puts people to work. Almost 60 percent of people who ride public transit are commuting to and from work.
Beyond the economic benefits, by investing now in public transportation we can also reduce our dependence on oil, protect our environment, and enhance our quality of life.
As America looks for solutions to today's challenges, and begins planning for a better tomorrow, public transportation takes us there.