Benefits of
Transit
According to the Center for Transportation Excellence,
public transportation plays an integral role in
improving our
nation's prosperity, equity and mobility. An overview of the
benefits provides a powerful
rationale for investing in its
future. Learn about how transit helps build strong communities,
good health and a robust economy.
Economic |
Environmental |
Health |
Community |
Social Justice |
Other
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Community Benefits
Public
transportation fosters more livable communities by
creating corridors which
become natural focal points for
economic and social activities. These activities help
create strong neighborhood centers that are more
economically stable, safe and productive.
- Studies have shown that
the ability to travel in an area conveniently, without
a car,
is an important component of a community's
livability.
- For example, Salt Lake
City's new TRAX system has achieved nearly 20,000
daily riders
since 1999 (41% of whom are new to
transit), thereby helping to revitalize the downtown
area by
attracting new businesses, a community center,
ice-skating rink and amphitheater.
Transit helps build strong
communities by boosting real estate values and economic
development:
- Public transportation
fuels local development and in turn has a positive
impact on local property values.
Studies have shown
greater increases in the value of properties located
near public transportation
systems than in similar
properties not located near public transportation.
- A transit coalition
report, "Dollars & Sense: The Economic Case for
Public Transportation in America,"
found that every
dollar taxpayers invest in public transportation
generates $6 or more in economic returns.
- Every $10 million in
capital investment in public transportation yields $30
million in increased sales.
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