Increased Funding for Public Transportation
The average price of regular gasoline in the United States continues to increase. The days of cheap gas are over, and people are looking for ways to reduce their transportation costs.
There is no better way to do that than by riding public transportation, and Americans are responding in record numbers as bus, light rail, subway, and commuter rail ridership continues to rise. In fact, transit ridership is up 23% since 1995.
Yet, ironically, while high gas prices are encouraging more people to ride transit, rising diesel prices are also causing mass transit systems nationwide to raise fares, cut service, lay off staff, and delay capital spending.
ATU Supports
(1) Legislation to increase the percentage or level of spending directed towards public transportation, such as the dedication of gas tax revenues, interest on existing highway funds, motor vehicle excise taxes, tolls, loans to be made out of highway funds, or other resources, for transit use; and
(2) In those states that currently have restrictions on the use of their highways funds, legislation that would allow such funds to be used for both highways and transit.
Transit needs to be the solution – not the victim – of high gas prices. If Americans used public transportation for roughly 10% of their daily travel needs, the U.S. would reduce its dependence on imported oil by more than 40%, or nearly the amount of oil the U.S. imports from Saudi Arabia each year, according to a recent study. In fact, increased use of public transportation is the single most effective way to reduce America’s energy consumption.
Congestion Costs
Public transportation is also the best way to beat the traffic. Today, whether you live in one of the nation’s largest cities, a fast growing suburb, or a once-rural area, you will unquestionably be aggravated, inconvenienced, or more severely affected by the unparalleled level of congestion on U.S. roads. It is estimated that congestion costs U.S. travelers more than 4.5 billion hours of delay, 6.8 billion gallons of wasted fuel, and $78 billion during an average year.
Finally, despite unquestionable mobility needs – especially of elderly and disabled individuals – 40% of Americans in rural counties have no access to public transportation at all.
Yet, a recent report by a national research firm says that despite record levels of traffic congestion, states are not investing nearly enough in public transportation. We need to invest more resources in public transportation at the state level.
In July 2005, Congress passed legislation that will increase capital funding to the nation’s transit systems during the next four years. But it is up to the states to come up with the resources to fund the bulk of operating expenses. And, states must find new matching funds in order to avoid the loss of increasing federal resources.