Overview
Public transportation, such as light rail and rapid bus systems, is the wave of the future. Transit reduces traffic congestion by taking hundreds of cars off the road, and plays a critical role in decreasing America’s oil dependence, global warming pollution and sprawl. Traffic congestion results in billions of additional hours each year wasted behind the wheel. It is one reason that Americans consumed almost 180 billion gallons of motor fuel in 2005.
The time for transit’s future is now. Imagine buses that never get snarled in traffic because they have their own lanes. And what if the bus driver had a button allowing her to change the intersection light from red to green to keep on schedule? That’s the promise of rapid bus transit. Likewise, modern light rail systems can integrate seamlessly with existing streets, providing a fast, quiet and comfortable ride – and even free WiFi. This is a future we can start building right now.
Public transportation systems in every state in America already make congestion problems almost 30 percent better than they would be without transit. One train can replace hundreds of drivers and one bus can replace dozens of cars. Communities served by transit become pedestrian-friendly because less space is wasted on parking lots and road lanes. Transit, moreover, provides important mobility options for people who don’t drive or lack access to a car. And rail and bus stops spur economic development in surrounding neighborhoods.
Despite the promise of transit, funding has not kept pace with growing needs and expanding populations. For decades, powerful developers and the road construction industry have lobbied to spend taxpayer money on sprawl-inducing roads and highways, while the federal funding system creates obstacles to expanding transit. Meanwhile, many state transit agencies face serious financial deficits and a growing wait list of unfunded projects.
Texas must take the initiative to shape the transportation system of the future by investing in buses, commuter and light rail lines. Lawmakers should ensure dedicated funding sources that will support growing transit networks for the future. Federal rules should encourage states to do the right thing rather than continue to invest disproportionately in highways.
TexPIRG is working at the state and federal level to ensure that transit gets on track and Texas gets the 21st Century transportation system it needs.
