Public transportation is a great investment. Here are a few reasons why:

• It serves millions of people: Americans took more than 9.6 billion public transportation trips in 2004.
• It's a lifeline: Nearly 20 percent of all transit trips are taken by people over the age of 65 or under 18.
• It strengthens the economy: Every $1 invested in public transportation projects generates from $4 to $9 in local economic activity.
• It creates jobs: Every $1 billion invested by the federal government in public transportation infrastructure supports approximately 47,500 jobs.
• It saves fuel: For every mile traveled, public transportation uses about one half of the fuel consumed by automobiles, and about a third of that used by sport utility vehicles and light trucks.
• It's safe: Riding a transit bus is 79 times safer than car travel.
• It's growing: Since 1995, transit use has increased by 23 percent — faster than highway travel.

Source: APTA

Updates
RTA invests in high-tech fare boxes (1-17-07)