Chicago—Efforts
to promote state capital investment in transit received a boost today
as state lawmakers and civic leaders held an event in Chicago
highlighting a major new report on oil savings and other benefits from
public transportation across the country. The Illinois PIRG report, A Better Way to Go: Meeting America’s 21 st Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit,
examines the challenges faced by America’s transportation system and
the benefits of existing rail and bus projects in Illinois.
According
to the report, transit in Northeastern Illinois is responsible for 276
million gallons of oil saved and $723 million dollars saved that would
have otherwise been spent on gas. With rising gas prices, the report
underscored the value and need for lawmakers to invest in transit.
“The
Illinois congressional delegation united in 2005 to deliver the largest
federal transportation funding authorization in the state’s history,
but we now risk losing billions in federal dollars unless the State
approves the local match,” Congressman Kirk said. “If Springfield
doesn’t provide the needed $2.7 billion match, we could lose more than
$4.1 billion in federal money to other states such as California,
Pennsylvania and Florida. To keep Chicago’s economy strong, we need to
invest in projects like Metra’s STAR Line to reduce congestion and
improve the environment. This is particularly critical to Chicagoland’s
new population center – the suburbs.”
“This
report shows why it would be a mistake to not meet our transit
infrastructure needs,” said State Representative Julie Hamos, Chair of
the Illinois House Mass Transit Committee. “It puts clear numbers on
how public transit reduces oil dependence, traffic congestion, and
global warming pollution. A capital funding bill would make it possible
to keep our system in a state of good repair and also consider future
expansions.”
“It’s
time lawmakers in Springfield stop dragging their feet and move
Illinois forward with a capital bill that funds rehabilitation and new
transit expansion projects like the red line extension. Doing so is a
key step toward 21st century transportation in Illinois,” said Brian
Imus, State Director with Illinois PIRG. “This report shows that
transit saves Illinoisans energy, time, and money. With rising gas
prices and increasing traffic projected for the future, we can’t afford
not to invest in popular projects like this that meet our country’s
long-term needs.”
"With
congestion at an all-time high and set to increase further, I doubt
there are many who question the benefit of increased spending on a
fast, efficient and widespread transit system,” said Rob Hoffman,
Director of Business Development with the Chicago Workforce Board.
“Modernization and expansion of the system would greatly benefit
employers and employees alike by expanding access to a far larger
talent pool than is served by the existing network. It would also
significantly increase economic opportunity to low income,
transit-dependent workers in both urban and suburban areas so that they
could realistically use commuter services to expand their prospects of
securing a well paid job."
Around
the country transit saves 3.4 billion gallons of oil each year,
prevents 541 million hours of traffic delay and reduces global warming
pollution by 26 million tons. Demand for public transportation is
booming nationally, with transit trips far outpacing the growth of auto
miles or population since 1995.
