From Home to Work: Public Transit’s Making the Most Important Connections

Every day, millions of Americans reach their jobs using public transportation. But it isn’t just the workforce using transportation. Business owners rely on public transportation to find and retain good talent to keep their businesses moving forward. The ripple effect public transportation creates drives not only an individual’s economic prosperity, but local economies across the nation.

Don’t Believe Us? Let’s Hear from Voices for Public Transit Advocates!

We’re hearing from advocates across the country on how they rely on public transportation for reaching their jobs and the ability of public transit to drive business growth.

• “I've had to rely on public transportation due to an injury that prevents me from driving. I’ve also had workers that I’ve supervised who rely on public transportation to get to work. Without a reliable and extensive network of public transportation, businesses would lose out on qualified workers, and workers would have fewer opportunities for work.” Karen from Dallas, TX
• “I have epilepsy and cannot drive. I rely on public transportation to get to work. I live and work in a rural area, so even if I move closer to my job, I would still be taking public transportation.” Janet from Derry, PA
• “I commute daily by transit. It’s the only way I can get to my job. Transit has opened new opportunities to me by allowing me to find work that might otherwise be beyond my reach.” William from Aurora, CO
• “My job is 45 miles from my home. I commute by Tri-Rail, which is our local train system. It costs me just about $2 a day compared to about $10-15 in gas to drive on the very contested highway. It’s a game changer. This system has allowed me to live in a better neighborhood while maintaining my job.” Sunshine from Boynton Beach FL

Beyond Individual Access; Public Transit Helps Businesses Grow

When employees can dependably reach their jobs, employers benefit as well. Businesses located close to public transportation experience less employee absenteeism and employee turnover. These businesses enjoy the added benefit of having access to a larger pool of potential employees.

Employers and business owners have partnered with local government and transit agencies to expand public transit options. Take a look at suburban Indianapolis where property owners supported a new fee to help improve public transit to business clusters. The new service—which includes shuttles, buses, and ride-sharing—is helping connect job seekers with employers such as Amazon, Ryder, and Belkin.

Investments in Public Transit Drive Economic Returns

Investments in public transit support job creation. Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates about 50,000 jobs. In addition, public transportation is a $68 billion industry that directly employs 420,000 people and supports millions of private sector jobs.

But as we’ve seen, transit benefits go beyond job creation. Public transportation is a connector between private sector employers and employees, providing advantages to both.

The FAST Act is Driving Public Transit Improvements

The 2015 FAST Act committed $305 billion to our nation’s transportation network over five years, including an 18 percent increase in funding for public transportation. Over the last two years, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has been implementing many components of the FAST Act. Here are some highlights:

The FAST Act provided $3.75 billion for buses and bus facilities. State and local governments, representing communities of all sizes, have applied for grants to create, improve, and expand bus systems.

In 2016, more than 60 bus projects all around the country were awarded more than $210 million in federal funding. Projects in Tomah, Wisconsin, and Mesa County, Colorado, expanded mobility options for people with disabilities. Many public transit systems received funds to replace ageing buses or upgrade to more efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.

Bus systems are the backbone of public transit systems in communities large and small. The next round of funding will provide $226.5 million for bus improvements, with winning projects to be announced soon.







The FAST Act is enabling expansions of commuter rail systems. Notably, Maryland broke ground in 2017 on its Purple Line, connecting the Washington, D.C., metro area with Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. Commuter rail expansion and modernization efforts in Los Angeles and Chicago are also moving forward thanks to federal FAST Act dollars.







Public transit is essential not only for cities, but also for smaller towns and rural areas. The FAST Act provided funding specifically for public transit improvements in rural areas and on tribal lands.

In 2017, the DOT announced $5 million worth of grants for 36 tribal public transit projects in 19 states. This funding will provide increased public transit options for tribal members living in rural Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, and other states.

“Transportation is a lifeline in tribal communities, many of which are in rural areas of the country,”noted U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. “The Tribal Transit Program makes a real difference for residents in these communities by helping to fund convenient, efficient, and affordable public transportation.”

Proposed Budget Cuts Threaten the FAST Act

Even as the FAST Act is delivering on its promise to improve transportation for millions of Americans, it continues to come under threat. The President’s proposed infrastructure initiative and proposed budget cuts could scale back funding for public transit. Urge Congress today to stand up for public transit and include funding for public transit in their infrastructure legislation.

Voices for Public Transit is gearing up for the long-term fight to secure complete implementation and full funding for the FAST Act. Stay tuned to learn actions you can take now and in the future to ensure that America remains committed to public transportation.

Trains, Planes, Automobiles - Oh My!

We’re on top of public transportation news, diving deep to give you the latest on what you need to know!

Public Transit Is Moving Forward in Local Communities

Communities across the country are improving and expanding their public transit systems. Local media recently covered public transit milestones in Charlotte and Minneapolis.

• “After a Decade of Planning, Charlotte’s Light-rail Extension Finally Opens”—The Charlotte Observer celebrates the opening of an extension of the city’s Lynx light rail, opened after four years of construction. The line runs through a 1,000-foot tunnel to connect the University of North Carolina-Charlotte to the rest of the city.
• “C Line to Bring Bus Rapid Transit to Popular North Minneapolis Route”— MinnPost looks at the Twin Cities’ initiative to expand bus service with bus rapid transit (BRT). The first BRT line opened in 2016, and ridership is exceeding expectations.

Congress Stands Up for Public Transit Funding

Good news out of Washington! The recent omnibus spending bill increases funding for public transportation. Though funding only runs through September, it is welcome news to see, once again, that Congress can unite across party lines to support public transit.

• “Transit Fares Surprisingly Well in House Spending Bill”—Streetsblog USA summarizes the funding for public transit included in the recent omnibus spending bill. Federal Transit Administration funding increased by $1 billion, and the TIGER grant program received a budget increase as well.

Public Transportation Continues to Face Challenges

News coverage notes that the Trump Administration’s infrastructure proposal doesn’t provide the support that public transit needs for maintenance, improvement and expansion.

• “Trump Plan is Bad for Transit Infrastructure”“—Writing in Newsday, transit leader Linda Bailey describes how the Administration’s infrastructure proposal would not only shortchange public transit but would also takes dollars away from transit programs.
• “Transit Leaders Criticize Trump’s Proposed Grant Cuts in FY19 Budget”—Smart Cities Dive provides a overview of the Administration’s proposed budget, which cuts public transit funding by as much as $51.7 billion.

Public transportation advocates, just like you, make a difference when it comes to protecting public transportation in Washington. Members of Congress across the political divide are listening to their constituents and their desire for a strong, interconnected, multimodal transit system.

We’re dedicated to keeping you up to date with the latest in public transportation news across the country and action you can take to stand up for mobility and America’s transit infrastructure.

Transit-Oriented Development Strengthens Communities

Public transportation not only provides essential mobility to millions of Americans, but it also anchors communities and drives economic development.

“Transit-oriented development” (TOD) refers to the way public transportation helps drive new investment in residential and commercial development along transit lines because ready access to public transportation helps attract new residents and businesses alike. TOD neighborhoods include a mixture of residences, stores, offices, and services, all located within a half-mile of public transit, and they are helping transform communities—and lives—throughout the nation.

Households in transit-oriented neighborhoods spend, on average, 15 percent of their income on transportation, compared to 28 percent in neighborhoods without public transit access. In addition to lowering transportation costs, transit-oriented development:

• Reduces strain on roads and highways—and helps limit traffic congestion
• Promotes public health by supporting walking, cycling, and community interaction
• Helps businesses attract both customers and employees
• Revitalizes neighborhoods and supports housing affordability
• Reduces air pollution and limits sprawl

Federal Transit Funding Supports TOD

The 2015 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act includes key provisions to support transit-oriented development. The FAST Act reauthorized and expanded the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) to include qualifying transit-oriented development projects. The FAST Act also provides continued funding for the Federal Transit Administration’s transit-oriented planning grant program.

While the FTA has awarded many transit-oriented planning grants to large cities, smaller communities have also benefited:

• Greater Boise, Idaho—The Boise region’s Valley Regional Transit (VRT) is planning to launch a bus rapid transit (BRT) service in the region, with a major line running from downtown Boise out to smaller communities to the west. A federally funded transit-oriented development grant is helping VRT and regional partners develop plans for four TOD sites.
• Lake County, Indiana—The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) received federal funding to help incorporate transit-oriented development best practices into the development of a new rail line. The plan will support multi-modal transportation, encourage private-sector investment, and promote increased residential density.
• Ogden and Provo-Orem, Utah—These cities that bookend Utah’s main regional commuter rail line received federal transit-oriented development planning grants to foster growth and community prosperity anchored by BRT services. The grants will foster housing affordability and encourage walking and cycling.

Some Americans—and even some lawmakers—mistakenly think federal transit funding only benefits large metropolitan areas. Simply not true. The FAST Act is reaching communities of all sizes—and public transit is helping drive smart investment and development in suburbs, small towns, and rural areas alike.

Raising awareness about the “hidden” benefits of public transportation, like transit-oriented development, will be key as elected officials continue to debate the budget and consider infrastructure legislation. Public transit does much more than provide mobility, it transforms communities of all sizes.

The Time is Now to Urge Congress to Support Public Transit Funding

The Administration’s new infrastructure initiative and proposed budget recommend deep cuts to public transit funding. In 2015, Congress united to support public transportation, passing the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act by strong bipartisan votes.

We need Congress to step up again, to protect public transportation funding and include public transit investment in its infrastructure legislation.

Supporters of public transit must come together, cut through the noise and tell Congress to protect public transportation funding.

Here’s what’s at risk:

• 800,000 jobs—including more than a half-million construction and related positions.
• Mobility for millions of Americans who rely on rail and bus systems to get to work, access education and health care, and connect with friends, family and their larger communities.
• Public transit improvements communities are counting on—the Administration’s proposals would cut funding for new rail and bus ways by 57%.

We’re at a critical juncture. Congress will soon be voting on the federal budget—and then may focus on a stand-alone infrastructure bill. We need to call on Congress now to unite again to keep public transportation moving.

Polling shows 75 percent of Americans support increased investment in public transportation. Your message can help convince Congress that public transportation should remain a priority.