Public transportation in the United States is a crucial part of the solution to the nation’s economic, energy, and environmental challenges — helping to bring a better quality of life. In increasing numbers, people are using public transportation and local communities are expanding public transit services. Every segment of American society — individuals, families, communities, and businesses — benefits from public transportation.

Below find the national facts on public transit. Click here, to view the local facts on public transit.

• In 2008, Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation.
• 35 million times each weekday, people board public transportation.
• From 1995 through 2008, public transportation ridership increased by 38%—a growth rate higher than the 14% increase in U.S. population and higher than the 21% growth in the use of the nation’s highways over the same period.
• Public transportation is a $48.4 billion industry that employs more than 380,000 people.
• More than 7,700 organizations provide public transportation in the United States.

• 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.
• Public transportation provides access to job opportunities for millions of Americans.

• Access to bus and rail lines reduces driving by 4,400 miles per household annually.
• Americans living in areas served by public transportation save 646 million hours in travel time and 398 million gallons of fuel annually in congestion reduction alone.
• Without public transportation, congestion costs would have been an additional $13.7 billion.

• Every dollar communities invest in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns.
• 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.

• The average household spends 18 cents of every dollar on transportation, and 94% of this goes to buying, maintaining, and operating cars, the largest expenditure after housing.
• Public transportation provides an affordable, and for many, necessary, alternative to driving.
• Households that are likely to use public transportation on a given day save over $8,400 every year.

• Public transportation’s overall effects save the United States 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually:– more than 3 times the amount of gasoline imported from Kuwait.
• Households near public transit drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles than households with no access to public transit. This equates to an individual household reduction of 223 gallons per year.
• Households that use public transportation and live with one less car can save on average $9,000 every year.

• Communities that invest in public transit reduce the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually:– equivalent to New York City; Washington, DC; Atlanta; Denver; and Los Angeles combined stopping using electricity.
• One person switching to public transit can reduce daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year.
• A single commuter switching his or her commute to public transportation can reduce a household’s carbon emissions by 10% and up to 30% if he or she eliminates a second car. When compared to other household actions that limit CO2, taking public transportation can be 10 times greater in reducing this harmful greenhouse gas.

ACT TRANSIT

Since its inception in 2000,

• ACT has provided over 290,000 passenger trips.  The transportation service has had a steady growth of passengers over the last 10 years.  A majority of ACT passengers are made up of persons with disabilities and seniors.
• ACT has grown its vehicle fleet from utilizing just three vans in 2000 to 28 vehicles in 2010 to keep up with the growing demand of Allegan County residents.  Several vehicles are needed to cover the rising demand of traveling to and from various passenger destinations.
• ACT has traveled more than 3.6 million miles over the course of the last 10 years. Allegan County is one of the largest counties in the state with over 112,900 residents spanning across 827 sq. miles.
• ACT has spent 151,412 hours on the road servicing the residents of Allegan County. In 2009, ACT spent just over 585 hours per week servicing residents by providing necessary medical, employment, and recreational transportation trips.

Click here to view ACT’s 2010 Annual Report.

MAX TRANSIT

In 2006, nearly 75% of voters passed the first MAX Transit millage in the City of Holland and Holland Charter Township. Since the passage of this millage, MAX Transit has:

• increased ridership by 64%, from 203,948 riders (2006) to 316,578 riders (2009)
• created a multi-modal transportation hub located at the Padnos Transportation Station
• increased the number of fixed routes and expanded service hours
• reduced fares for seniors and individuals with disabilities
• provided free fares for Medicaid and Medicare card holders
• mobile data computer equipped with GPS and AVL for increased performance and efficiency
• added 10 new vehicles including one bio-diesel for a safer ride

In May 2011, the MAX Transportation Authority will seek a renewal millage asking voters to reinvest in their local public transit system. This millage vote presents a unique opportunity for Lakeshore Friends of Transit to educate residents about the importance of public transit and its benefits to the community.

Specifically related to MAX Transit:

• MAX's $2.2 operating budget generates $7 million in new sales to the local economy
• Over 150 school children ride the MAX daily to and from school
• 6% of the Holland/Zeeland community uses MAX. This is nearly TRIPLE the average percentage rate of use for communities of our size. 

Click here to view MAX’s 2011 Annual Report.

Data taken from MAX Transit, ACT Transit and www.publictransportation.org