Shows Big Savings of Energy, Time, Money, and CO2 from Transit
Madison, WI - Efforts to promote investment in public transportation in Wisconsin received a boost as civic leaders held an event in Madison highlighting a major new report on oil savings and other benefits from public transportation across the country. The WISPIRG report, A Better Way to Go: Meeting America’s 21st Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit, examines the challenges faced by America’s transportation system and the benefits of existing rail and bus projects in Wisconsin and other states.
According to the report, transit in Madison and Milwaukee is responsible for 1.2 million gallons of oil saved and over $3 million dollars saved that would have otherwise been spent on gas. With rising gas prices, the report underscored the value and need for lawmakers to invest in transit. 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. Demand for public transportation is booming nationally, with transit trips far outpacing the growth of auto miles or population since 1995.
"This report helps justify the need for more public transportation in Dane County," said Mark Opitz, Dane County Supervisor and the Chair of the Long-Range Metro Transit Planning Committee. “It puts clear numbers on how public transit reduces oil dependence, traffic congestion, and global warming pollution. Commuters in Dane County need better transportation choices and the benefits are evident from this report.”
"Investing in mass transportation here at home will improve the health of ourselves, our economy and our planet,” said Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D., a member of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
National public opinion polls indicate that 53 percent of commuters would prefer to use more public transportation if it were available near their home and workplace. An overwhelming majority of the public, seventy-five percent, tell pollsters that transit is the best way to fight traffic congestion.
“Not only would more investment in transit improve the air quality for all of us, reserve scarce land for its best use, and slow the increase of congestion, it would provide the predictability that stimulates economic growth,” said Sarah Hoover, Director of Administration and Special Programs for Downtown Madison Inc. “In areas that have improved their transit systems, the transit hubs see increased property values and investment in office, retail, and residential space.”
“Moving ahead with new public transportation projects like intercity rail and enhanced bus and rail lines is a key step toward 21st century transportation in Wisconsin,” said Bruce Speight, WISPIRG Advocate. “This report shows that transit saves Wisconsinites energy, time, and money. With rising gas prices and increasing traffic projected for the future, we can’t afford not to invest in projects that meet our country’s long-term needs.”
Supplementary Data
Agency
| Oil Savings (gallons)
| Fuel savings ($)
|
Metro Transit System (Madison)
| 77,648 | $203,282 |
| Milwaukee County Transit System | 1,145,091 | $2,997,848 |
