Public Transportation Supports the Community
Public transportation provides special service to community events such as Christmas shopping, special tours, and concerts. Special programs are conducted for groups in need of discounts or adjusted fares.
Public Transportation Enhances Freedom
Public transportation provides Americans with freedom to live their lives, pursue opportunities, make choices, and enjoy grater mobility. It helps create neighborhoods that are strong, an environment that is clean, and an economy that is prosperous. Ensuring this freedom requires safety and security. That is why every public transportation system in America has made the safety and security of passengers a top priority.
Public Transportation Enhances Security
Every major public transportation authority has comprehensive emergency plans in place. Most large transit systems have their own specially trained police forces. In addition, local law enforcement agencies assist in providing security for transit systems. Public transportation employees receive routine disaster and emergency training. Public transportation employees work closely with fire and rescue crews, police and sheriff’s departments, and local power companies.
Public Transportation Responds to Emergencies
When terrorists struck on September 11, 2001, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train system and the MTA in New York saved lives by evacuating passengers and transporting rescue workers quickly and efficiently. After the attack on the Pentagon, Metrorail and public transit in Washington D.C. transported injured persons and operated at emergency levels to transport people out of the area. Throughout the country, transit systems evacuated people from airports in major cities and kept America moving during suspension of air service. When hurricanes threaten the Gulf coast, Texas transit systems are activated to provide emergency evacuation and assistance with emergency systems.
Public Transportation Responds to New Challenges
U.S. DOT’s National Infrastructure Security Committee brings together the transportation industry, labor unions and the government to examine security systems, set national standards and ensure protection for transportation assets. Major public transportation systems are implementing scanners and detectors to respond to bio-terrorist attacks or chemical accidents. Enhanced safety and security measures are being implemented, including increased and greater visibility of security personnel, removal of receptacles that could hide dangerous packages, and increased public awareness through the Transit Watch program with calls to passengers to be alert for suspicious activities and packages.
Public Transportation Provides Access and Choice
Public transportation makes it possible for millions of people to access work, school, medical appointments and other everyday activities. Every day transit allows Americans from every walk of life to make decisions that improve the quality of their lives, such as shortening commute times to spend more time with their families, doing their part to improve air quality, and saving energy.
Public Transportation Creates Stronger, More Livable Communities
With public transportation, open spaces can be preserved, pedestrian-only zones can be created, a community’s appearance can be enhanced, and fewer cars are needed.
Public Transportation Reduces Traffic Congestion and Lessens Commute Time
With public transportation, open spaces can be preserved, pedestrian-only zones can be created, a community’s appearance can be enhanced, and fewer cars are needed.
Public Transportation Supports Cleaner Air
The monetary cost of motor vehicle emissions nationally has been estimated from $10 billion to $200 billion annually (NCRP Report 20, Measuring and Valuing Transit benefits and Disbenefits, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., p.14.). Public transportation reduces annual emissions of the pollutants that create smog — VOCs and NOx — by more than 70,000 tons and 27,000 tons respectively (APTA Conserving Energy and Preserving the Air We Breathe).
Public Transportation Encourages People To Walk More, Stress Less
Transit-friendly, walkable communities reduce reliance on motor vehicles and promote higher levels of physical activity (APTA, The Route to Better Personal Health). With public transportation, less travel time, more predictability, enhanced control and less effort required to make a trip reduces the stress levels and negative health effects associated with driving. (Wener, Prof. Richard, and Evans, Prof. Gary, The Impact of Mode and Mode Transfers on Commuter Stress, Final Report, New Jersey Department of Transportation, Division of Research and Technology, August 2000)
Public Transportation Helps People Avoid Dangerous Situations
Considerable documentation shows that accident, injury, and fatality rates for users of public transit are lower than for users of private motor vehicles. (NCRP Report 20, Measuring and Valuing Transit Benefits and Disbenefits, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., p. 20.) Riding the bus is 170 times safer than automobile travel. (National Safety Council, Injury Facts, 2001, Washington DC, 2002)