Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The 600-plus public transit leaders will spend Tuesday and Wednesday visiting their congressional representatives, lobbying their transit initiatives on Capitol Hill.

Despite economic downturn, trips stay above 10 billion for fourth year in a row.

Riders can save on average $768 per month. Amount is based on the cost of the national averages for parking and driving, as well as the March 3 national average gas price of $2.703 per gallon for self-serve regular gasoline as reported by AAA.

Riders can save on average $770 per month. Amount is based on the cost of the national averages for parking and driving, as well as the January 11 national average gas price of $2.75 per gallon for self-serve regular gasoline as reported by AAA.

Center will build on the efforts of other already existing APTA committees, including the High-Speed and Intercity Rail Committee and the Legislative Committee.

Survey IDs more than $15 billion in public transportation capital projects that can be started in 90 days. It is estimated that this investment in public transportation would support and create more than 450,000 jobs.

Over the last year, an individual riding public transportation would have saved an additional $255 due to the 41 cent increase of gasoline per gallon since November 2008, the report found.

For every $1 billion invested in public transportation capital and operations, an average of 36,000 jobs are supported. These jobs result in roughly $3.6 billion of business sales and generate nearly $500 million in federal, state and local tax revenues.

The "Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act" introduced by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA) this week potentially offers important new funding to expand access to public transportation.

Besides nation's unemployment rate, other factors contributing to the ridership decline are service cuts and fare increases. Meanwhile, demand response (paratransit) services grow.