In Need of Investment:
Public Transit Saves Commuters Time, Money
JACK HELLEWELL, President Virginia Transit Association
GUEST COLUMNIST
Aug 13, 2006, Richmond Times Dispatch
Lynchburg. What if I told you there was a product that could save you time and money, reduce pollution, and improve your overall quality of life for about $1.50 a day?
Sound too good to be true? It's not. It's your local public transit system.
Despite all these benefits and 176 million annual transit passenger trips throughout the Commonwealth, Virginians have never really had the kind of public transit system they deserve: an interconnected, seamless transportation network that is well-funded, convenient, and easily accessible. With adequate investment in public transit, Virginia's transportation problems would become far more manageable.
Here's why:
(1)Public transit reduces congestion, and saves time and money. Public transit reduces traffic congestion: A full bus takes 45-60 cars off the road; a full rail car takes 200 cars off the road.
According to the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), people who use public transit on a regular basis save an average of 84 hours per year in commuting time. That's similar to getting home almost a half-hour early every day -- time that can be spent with your family. Bus and train commuters can read a book or newspaper on the way to and from work. And they arrive less stressed because they leave the driving to the experts.
TTI estimates that in Northern Virginia, $330 million is saved annually in congestion costs due to public transit investments. That's a savings of about $200 per person. Traffic congestion costs Richmond residents an average of $300 a year that's almost $1.20 each workday and is just like a tax. That's why more Virginians are choosing transit to avoid this congestion tax.
(2)Public transit saves energy and reduces pollution. Public transit lowers fuel consumption, thereby reducing our dependence on foreign oil. If you own a car that gets 20 miles to a gallon, and you commute 30 miles round trip to work 230 days a year, you save about 345 gallons of fuel -- or $1,035 annually (at $3 per gallon) -- plus wear and tear on the vehicle and parking costs. And fewer cars on the road means less pollution.
(3)Public transit provides a big return on taxpayer investment. Public transit systems operate efficiently with maximum value for taxpayer dollars. According to AAA, owning a Honda Accord costs roughly 62 cents per mile -- not including the hidden costs of building and maintaining roads. But, according to the National Transit Database, the cost per passenger mile on public transit is 30 cents -- half as much as driving a car!
Despite these compelling facts, some may argue that public transit isn't profitable and doesn't serve everyone, so it's not a priority. That's wrong. Public transit is a public service (such as police, fire, or even public libraries) from which we all benefit. Let's face it: You may not use these services, but someone does. We all benefit from these services directly or indirectly.
(4)Public transit + Smart land use = Livable Communities. Transit plays an important role in supporting desirable development and revitalization of both older urban areas and suburban communities. By being less dependent on cars and fostering walkable, town-like development, everybody wins.
For example, by clustering development within a quarter of a mile of Metrorail stations, Arlington has preserved neighborhoods and managed congestion, and captures 60 percent of its property-tax revenues from the 8 percent of the county's property that is located around the stations. The Virginia Railway Express is also serving as a magnet for people-friendly development. Developing along light-rail and bus routes can provide similar benefits.
(5)Transit ridership surges statewide, and demand is high for GRTC service. Statewide, transit ridership continues to grow. The GRTC transit system has seen a systemwide increase in ridership of nearly 10 percent since last year. Routes such as the Richmond-Petersburg Express have seen ridership skyrocket, up 63 percent from the previous year. Ridership on GRTC's U.S. 360, Commonwealth 20 Express has increased 127 percent since operations began just seven months ago. More suburban commuters are saving money and time by using public transit.
Investment is needed now. As fuel prices continue to rise, Virginians are looking for alternatives to triple-digit increases in gasoline prices. Our legislators have a lot of reasons to provide additional dedicated funding for convenient, accessible transportation options so that Virginians are not forced to drive.
For the past 50 years, Virginia's highway system has been the priority for transportation dollars. Now, with increasing congestion, fuel costs, and growth, it's time to develop the true potential of public transit.
With a special General Assembly session on transportation planned for this fall, it's time to pay attention to the facts. It's time to invest in public transit so Virginians can get the transportation choices they need and deserve.
Jack Hellewell is the president of the Virginia Transit Association and the chairman of the board of the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company.