General Facts about Public Transportation

Public Transportation includes all multiple-occupancy vehicle services designed to transport customers on local and regional routes.  These services are:  private and public buses; rail; Amtrak; intercity bus, and taxi services operated under contract to a public transportation agency; any vanpool service operated by or under such contract; and other transportation services for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Who uses public transportation?

In 2001, Americans took 9.7 billion trips using public transportation, an increase of 3 percent more than the previous year, outpacing growth in other travel modes.  In the past six years, public transportation ridership in the U.S. has grown by more than 24 percent, faster than highway and travel. 

Where do people go on public transportation?

According to APTA data, work is the most popular destination with 54 percent of all trips ending at workplaces.  Next 15 percent of trips go to schools; 9 percent to shop; 9 percent, social visits; and 5 percent, medical appointments. 

How much energy does public transit save?

For every mile traveled, public transportation uses about one half of the fuel consumed by automobiles, and about a third of that used by light trucks. ("Conserving Energy and Preserving the Environment: The Role of Public Transportation", Robert J. Shapiro, Kevin A. Hassett, and Frank S. Arnold, 2002), "