A new study released by The American Bus Association Foundation, “Federal Subsidies for Passenger Transportation, 1960-2009,” found that the private commercial bus industry is the most cost effective mode of public transportation in the U.S.

The motorcoach industry takes travelers on an average of 745 million passenger trips a year and does so with practically no federal subsidy, according to the study.

From 2002 to 2009 per passenger trip subsidy:

• Amtrak received $57.04 per passenger trip.

• Private sector commercial air received $6.35 per passenger trip.

• Publicly funded mass transit received $0.95 per passenger trip.

• Private sector commercial bus operators received $0.10 per passenger trip.

“This study shows that our industry has a great story to tell the American people,” said the American Bus Association's President/CEO Peter J. Pantuso. “Our industry provides flexible, cost effective and environmentally friendly transportation. Bus operators serve intercity travelers, commuters, tourists and in particular rural communities that lack other transportation options.

"Motorcoach operations do not require massive new investments in infrastructure and facilities and provide direct employment for over 600,000 Americans.”

Pantuso added, “I hope federal and state lawmakers take note of this study. Our industry is part of the transportation solution and investing in motorcoach operations through transportation planning is the most cost effective way to provide mobility choice to the traveling public.”

Click here to download a summary of the report.

Click here to download the entire report, including tables and methodology.