by Ron Thaniel
May 22, 2006

Highlighting that public transportation is a key part of the solution to high gas prices, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said, “Across the country, people are discovering that transit provides an easy, comfortable way to get to work and bypass high gas prices.”

Speaking in Charlotte (NC) on May 2, Mineta said, “Transit systems in cities, including Ft. Lauderdale, Dallas and Kansas City were seeing dramatic increases in ridership this year.” He added that the Department was investing in transit systems to continue to make commuting a viable, gas saving option.

Responding to raising fuel prices and increased public transportation use, The U.S. Conference of Mayors Transportation and Communications Chair Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said, “Increased use of public transportation is the single most effective way to reduce America’s energy consumption.”

“Public transportation provides a wide array of affordable, energy-efficient transportation choices for U.S. commuters and travelers, including fixed-guideway transit – heavy and light rail, commuter rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit – as well as traditional bus transit,” said Hickenlooper.

In a sampling of transit agencies across the country done by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Americans are choosing public transportation in increasing numbers. According to that sampling, from Orlando to San Francisco, Fort Worth to Washington (DC), Salt Lake City to Raleigh-Durham, transit ridership is significantly up as Americans have chosen to travel by transit.

At 9.7 billion public transportation trips in 2005, mass transit ridership has increased by 25.1 percent since 1995. This rate is far faster than highway vehicle miles traveled. According to the APTA report light rail (modern streetcars, trolley, and heritage trolleys) had the highest percentage of increase among all modes, with a 6.0 percent increase in 2005. Minneapolis (168.9 percent; Houston (38.0 percent); New Jersey (17.8 percent; Salt Lake City (13.3 percent); Sacramento (12.8 percent); and Los Angeles (10.5 percent) showed double digit ridership increases.

Commuter rail, heavy rail (subways), and bus usage also posted large increases.

“Americans should not be held back by high oil prices,” Mineta said during that visit to Charlotte.

“Many are choosing transit,” noted Mineta.