Public transit is essential to everyday living in communities across the country, providing access to jobs, schools, shopping, healthcare, and other services while enabling equitable access and sustainable mobility options. Unfortunately, 45% of Americans have no access to transit.

According to 2026 urban planning and transportation data, there is a significant and growing need for expanded public transportation in the U.S. to address urban congestion, environmental goals, and economic equity. As major cities like Austin, Nashville, and Charlotte see record population growth, the lack of robust rail or bus rapid transit (BRT) has led to gridlock and increased carbon emissions. The 2026 Transportation Trends report highlights that while the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has funded many projects, a "funding gap" remains for long-term operations. Beyond environmental benefits, more public transit is needed to connect historically underserved communities with jobs and resources, as over 45% of Americans still have no access to any form of public transit. In 2026, the focus has shifted toward "micro-transit" and AI-optimized bus routes to solve the "last-mile" problem in suburban areas that were previously car-dependent.