Read the Report.
Shows Savings of Energy, Time, and Money
from Transit
Public Transit received a boost today as Congressman David
Price, Congressman Brad Miller and other supporters held an event at the
historic Seaboard Train Station calling for more
public transit options in the Triangle, citing a major new report on oil
savings and other benefits from public transportation across the country. The NC
Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG) released "A Better Way to Go: Meeting America’s 21st
Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit," which examines the
challenges faced by America’s
transportation system and the benefits of existing rail and bus projects in Triangle
and other areas of the state.
According to the report, public
transit in the Triangle—including the Capital Area Transit, Triangle Transit
Authority, Durham Area Transit, and NCSU—saved 467,950 gallons of oil. Around
the country transit saves 3.4 billion gallons of oil each year, prevents 541
million hours of traffic delay and reduces global warming pollution by 26
million tons. Additional data presented at the
press conference estimated that Raleigh-Durham commuters collectively spent
1500% more hours wasted in traffic in 2005 than in 1982. Demand for
public transportation is booming nationally, with transit trips far outpacing the growth of auto miles or population since
1995.
“This report
shows why public transit is a necessity not an amenity.” said Shana Becker,
Consumer Advocate at NCPIRG. “It puts
clear numbers on how public transit reduces oil dependence, traffic congestion,
and global warming pollution. Triangle
residents deserve better transportation choices.”
NCPIRG is members
of a new transportation coalition, NC Transportation Reform and Modernization
that represents over one million North Carolinians. NC TRAM was formed to promote “a
transportation system for the 21st century.” In addition to urging more investment in
public transit, they are calling upon lawmakers to require the Department of
Transportation to use objective criteria for project prioritization, and to
link land use to transit planning.
Another member of the group, NC Justice’s Budget and Tax Center,
released a report on the state’s transportation spending two weeks ago. According to the report, the Department of
Transportation allots about 3% of its funds for public transit spending. Slightly more than 1% of the transportation funds
that the state receives from the federal government are awarded for public
transit.
“Moving ahead with commuter
rail in the Triangle is a key step toward 21st century
transportation system,” said Becker. “This
report shows that transit saves North Carolinians
energy, time, and money. With rising gas prices and increasing traffic
projected for the future, we can’t afford not to invest in popular projects
like this that meet our state’s long-term needs.”
