More Public Transportation Is Needed to Alleviate Growing Traffic Congestion --
1.1 Billion Hours Saved by Public Transportation in Travel Time for 85 Urban Areas

Contacts: Virginia Miller (202) 496-4816 vmiller@apta.com
or Donna Aggazio (202) 496-4884 daggazio@apta.com.

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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) today called for immediate passage of comprehensive long-term surface transportation funding to provide critical relief for a worsening traffic congestion crisis across the United States. APTA's call for more funding came in response to the latest data released today by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) that shows how transit successfully reduces traffic delays and costs in 85 of America's urban areas.

This year's study reports that in 2002, regular bus and train services in America's most congested cities saved travelers 1.1 billion hours in travel time. Without public transportation, nationwide travel delays would have increased by 32 percent, costing residents in the major urban areas studied an additional $20 billion in lost time and fuel. The cost of congestion in 85 major U.S. urban areas in 2002 totaled more than $63 billion. Between 1982 and 2002, the study found that travel time saved because of public transportation increased four fold. This report clearly documents the strong and ongoing contribution made by public transportation in lessening the congestion that exists today.

"The TTI report gives clear evidence that public transportation makes a strong contribution in easing the congestion problem," said William W. Millar, APTA President, "but its availability is not keeping keep pace with growth in congestion." He added, "This is why we urge Congress to increase the federal investment in transit programs as soon as possible."

TTI's Urban Mobility Study, the longest running independent analysis of traffic has been conducted annually since 1982. Among its conclusions, the TTI study found that the average annual delay time per peak period traveler climbed from 16 hours in 1982 to 46 hours in 2002.

"The need for more solutions to existing traffic congestion is clearly overdue," said Millar. "The TTI report demonstrates and details for all who care about the condition of our nation's growing transportation problems, that decisive action must be taken once and for all to expand and modernize our public transportation systems."

Recent studies have shown that public transportation not only reduces commute times, but also promotes cleaner air, local economic development, more livable communities, and greater access and freedom for people from every walk of life. Investing in public transportation has been shown to produce a six to one economic return for communities. In many areas, like Salt Lake City, San Diego, Chicago, and Houston, public transportation has played an essential role in attracting new businesses, major events, and accommodating millions of visitors.

Despite the wealth of benefits public transportation brings to communities nationwide, many Americans still do not have access to service. In fact, APTA estimates that only half of all American households have access to readily available transit service. In small cities and rural areas, nearly two-thirds of all residents have few if any options. In places with existing transit service, systems are having difficulty keeping pace with the strain created by record-high levels of riders, aging fleets and equipment, and demands for new services. For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that $20.6 billion in capital investment is needed each year to improve current transit facilities.

To maintain and grow the public transportation network, APTA calls for passage of a new Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) at a funding level no less than the $318 billion passed by the U.S. Senate which includes $56.5 billion for public transportation.

For a closer look, the report is available on online at http://mobility.tamu.edu

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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. Over ninety percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA members.