The American Public Transportation Association released its annual Public Transportation Fact Book for 2021.
The fact book contains national aggregate statistical data covering all aspects of the public transit industry in the United States and Canada. Major sections in the new report include an overview of U.S. transit facts, transit finances and operating statistics by modes of travel, transit vehicle characteristics and deliveries, federal grants and the Federal Transit Act, and statistical trends of Canadian transit operations.
Highlights from this year’s fact book include:
- Long-term investment in public transit supports 50,000 jobs and $382 million in tax revenue per $1 billion invested.
- A total of 87 percent of trips on transit directly benefit the local economy.
- A total of 84 percent less CO2 emissions by using the subway rather than a car.
- The public transportation industry is a leader in clean technology, with the share of hybrid electric buses jumping from seven percent in 2010 to 18.8 percent in 2020.
- Cities with more than 40 annual public transit trips per person have one-half the traffic fatality rate of those with fewer than 20 trips per person.
“As the information in our annual fact book shows, investing in public transit will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and public health and help transform our nation’s transportation network for a sustainable future. Public transportation creates access to opportunities, including jobs, health care, and education, which can help our communities address the equity challenges that they face,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “The entire industry will continue working with Congress and the administration to capitalize on this opportunity to provide the public transportation investments necessary to address our nation’s climate and equity challenges and build back better.”
The complete 2021 fact book can be viewed here.
