Earth Day 2008

As we celebrate Earth Day 2008, the issues of climate change and the environment have become increasingly important topics. Across the United States, people are taking action and many are choosing to ride public transportation. Transit systems everywhere are experiencing record ridership numbers - over 10.3 billion trips were taken in 2007 – the highest ridership level in 50 years.  Each weekday over 34 million time people board public transportation.

On the national level, public transportation supports our nation's goals and polices, including reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil. Annually, a total of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline are saved as a result of public transportation.  Those who ride public transportation save almost 4 million gallons of gasoline per day.
Public transportation is also leading the way in reducing carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the air by providing people with a choice in their transportation options.  The “leverage effect of public transportation reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.  37 million metric tons of carbon emissions is equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households.  To achieve a similar reduction in carbon emissions, every household in New York City, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles combined would have to completely stop using electricity.

Public transportation also provides many benefits for individuals, families and communities such as saving time and money.  For example, Americans living in areas that are served by public transportation saved $18 billion annually in congestion costs.  Households near a rail line or bus stop drive 4,400 fewer miles annually as compared to persons in similar households with no access to public transportation.  Additionally, transit riders save about $1,400 in gas costs per year and transit availability and use can annually save $6,251 in a household budget.

By supporting increased investment for public transportation, both transit user and non-user benefit - traffic congestion is relived; petroleum consumption is reduced; less pollution occurs; and an increased quality of life and health exists for everyone.

We hope you find the following information useful and we encourage you to take action on Earth Day by contacting your elected officials and letting them know that you support greater investment for public transportation.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Environmental Benefits of Public Transportation

The issue of climate change and protecting the environment has become an increasingly important matter. Public transportation greatly benefits the environment and enhances the quality of life for all Americans.

By supporting investment for public transportation, both transit user and non-user benefit - traffic congestion is relived; petroleum consumption is reduced; less pollution occurs; and an increased quality of life and health exists for everyone.

Click here to go to APTA's Transit Action Center and voice your support for public transportation as a solution to global warming and energy efficiency to your elected officials.

APTA's TransitAction Center

Facts and Figures

• In 2007, Americans took 10.3 billion trips on public transportation – the highest ridership level in 50 years.

• 34 million times each weekday, people board public transportation.

• Since 1995 public transportation ridership is up 32 percent.

• The “leverage effect” of public transportation reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually – equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. To achieve similar reduction in carbon emissions, every household in New York City, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles combined would have to completely stop using electricity.

• People living in households within one-quarter mile of rail and one-tenth of a mile from a bus stop drive approximately 4,400 fewer miles annually as compared to persons in similar households with no access to public transit. This equates to an individual household reduction of 223 gallons of gasoline a year.

• Each year, public transportation use in the U.S. saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline. This represents almost 4 million gallons of gasoline per day.

• The “leverage effect” of public transportation, supporting transportation efficient land use patterns, saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline – more than three times the amount of gasoline refined from the oil we import form Kuwait.

• Each year, public transportation use saves the equivalent of 34 supertankers of oil, or a supertanker leaving the Middle East every 11 days.

• Each year, public transportation use save the equivalent of 140,769 service station tanker truck trips clogging our streets each year.

• Public transportation use saves the equivalent of 300,000 fewer automobile fill-ups every day.

• The typical public transit rider consumes on average one half of the oil consumed by an automobile rider.

Articles

• The 'Humane Metropolis - Are We Ready?
  

Reports and Studies

• Public Transportation: Benefits for the 21st Century
• Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.: Reducing Dependence on Oil
• The 2005 Urban Mobility Report
• The Route to Better Personal Health

Additional Earth Day Resources

• http://www.earthday.net/
• http://www.earthday.com/do/Home
• http://www.earthsite.org/
• http://www.earthday.gov/
• http://www.epa.gov/earthday/
• http://earthday.envirolink.org/

Contacts

For more information e-mail pt2info@apta.com or call 202-496-4821.

Media contact: Virginia Miller at vmiller@apta.com or call 202-496-4816