Public transportation relieves traffic congestion

The Texas Transportation Institute has released its congestion report, the 2010 Urban Mobility Report, which looked at road congestion in 439 United States urban areas. As in past years, the data shows the importance of public transportation in relieving congestion. In fact, the report’s methodology indicates that public transportation has an even greater role in reducing congestion than previously thought. The 2010 Urban Mobility Report indicates that without public transportation services, travelers would have suffered an additional 785 million hours of delay and consumed 640 million more gallons of fuel. Had there been no public transportation service available in the 439 urban areas studied, congestion costs for 2009 would have risen by nearly $19 billion from $115 to $134 billion. “There is no doubt that expanding public transportation use is key to reducing traffic congestion,” said American Public Transportation Association President William Millar. “Clearly, even if you don’t ride public transportation, it is still in your best interest to support investment in public transit. Better public transportation in your community means less congestion on the roads.” Millar said, “Reducing traffic congestion is one of many reasons why the 112th Congress needs to move on passing a well-funded, multi-year, surface transportation authorization bill. Each passing day means a delay in addressing congestion problems which impact individuals and undermines business productivity.” In addition to its proven record of reducing congestion, public transportation offers economic benefits. 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. Also, every $1 billion invested in public transportation creates and supports 36,000 jobs. U.S. public transportation use also produces significant energy-savings benefits. Each year 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline are saved because our citizens use public transportation. “This report offers compelling evidence of the importance of investing in public transportation,” said Millar. “Now is the time for Congress to pass a long-term authorization bill that will help reduce the problem of urban road congestion through a greater investment in public transportation.”