Safety concerns add to the longstanding issues that discourage people from using public transit: how long trips take, the inconvenience of getting to a station and delays or interruptions. It doesn't help that some transit agencies are not being managed very well.
It is a lifeline for millions of Americans connecting them to people, places and possibilities. It also builds thriving communities, creates jobs, eases traffic congestion and promotes a cleaner environment. Investment in public transportation spurs both local and the national economy.
Transportation also leads to noise pollution, water pollution, and affects ecosystems through multiple direct and indirect interactions. With the continuous growth in transportation, increasingly shifting to high-speed transportation modes, these externalities are expected to grow.
The transport sector causes substantial negative impacts on the environment and human health. Transport is responsible for about a quarter of the EU's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and causes air pollution, noise pollution and habitat fragmentation.
Motorcycles had a fatality rate of 212 per billion passenger miles, by far the highest of all modes: “A motorcyclist who traveled 15 miles every day for a year, had an astonishing 1 in 860 chance of dying — 29 times the risk for automobiles and light trucks.”
Save Money. A household can save an average of $10,000 annually by taking public transit. Owning a car costs between $6,000 and $12,000 a year — it's not cheap. If we keep fares affordable, more people have access to the transportation they need.
Public Transport leads to less air pollution as more people commute via single vehicle eliminating the need to travel by different modes. In some areas, public transport is the only means to commute. It is the only facility for people to travel to different places. Hence, public transport is like a blessing for them.
Public transit is a vital force for the American economy. The American Public Transportation Association estimates that 87% of trips directly benefit the local economy, with $1 invested in public transit believed to generate $5 in economic returns.
Access to reliable public transportation also promotes physical activity when people walk to and from transit stops. Regular physical activity helps reduce the risk of developing diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and stroke.