Save Public Transportation News

Pittsburgh, PA—A new study by the Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPIRG) will show the economic and environmental benefits of continuing to expand light-rail in Pittsburgh. The PennPIRG 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 Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania as a whole.

According to the report, the Pittsburgh region’s three biggest transportation agencies, the Port Authority, Beaver County Transit Authority, and Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority, save over 5 million gallons of oil that would otherwise be used by drivers and reduce CO2 emissions by 22,000 tons annually. 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 shows why we need to boost funding for public transportation, and move ahead with projects like a light-rail extension to Oakland,” said James Browning, Director of PennPIRG. “It shows how public transit reduces oil dependence, traffic congestion, and global warming pollution.”

Construction of the Oakland light rail line has been stalled by lack of federal or state mechanisms to finance operations. Community groups have supported the project as a way to stimulate growth and limit sprawl while allowing residents to access downtown without getting stuck in traffic.

National public opinion polls show 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.

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