Investments in Mass Transit Key to Economic Growth and Job Creation

A survey of voters in four major U.S. cities, including Boston, Chicago, Nashville and Pittsburgh, showed that investments in mass transit are key to economic growth and job creation.

When asked about specific mass transit options such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a majority of voters support bringing BRT to each of the four cities surveyed – Boston (52% support), Chicago (59% support), Nashville (77% support) and Pittsburgh (66% support). The surveys, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and conducted by Global Strategy Group, examined voters’ perceptions and attitudes towards mass transit and their support for BRT.

A large majority of those surveyed say that it is important to invest in public transportation to ensure communities continue to grow and thrive – Boston (91% agree), Chicago (89% agree), Nashville (85% agree) and Pittsburgh (89% agree). Many also believe good public transportation helps improve the economy and create jobs – Boston (90% agree), Chicago (88% agree), Nashville (85% agree) and Pittsburgh (85% agree).

“As city planners and elected officials evaluate mass transit options in their communities, BRT should be on top of the list because it’s one the fastest and most cost-effective ways to expand and modernize public transportation.”

“The findings illustrate a growing awareness among residents that in order to achieve a strong, vibrant economy and improve access to employment opportunities, there must be greater investment in public transportation,” says Benjamin de la Peña, Associate Director of the Rockefeller Foundation. “As city planners and elected officials evaluate mass transit options in their communities, BRT should be on top of the list because it’s one the fastest and most cost-effective ways to expand and modernize public transportation.”

According to the surveys, more than six-in-ten voters in each city say they would take BRT instead of driving or take other forms of public transit if it made their commute faster – Boston (72% agree), Chicago (73% agree), Nashville (62% agree) and Pittsburgh (69% agree). Moreover, a majority of voters in the four cities say they would pay an additional 10 cents a day for better, more reliable public transportation options that reduce their commute – Boston (75% agree), Chicago (71% agree), Nashville (63% agree) and Pittsburgh (70% agree).

The surveys also showed that voters across the four cities found “reliability” and “accessibility” as the top benefits of BRT, followed by faster travel times.

More than six-in-ten voters surveyed in each city say that “regular, on-time arrivals with fewer delays” is a very important benefit of BRT to them personally – Boston (68%), Chicago (61%), Nashville (69%) and Pittsburgh (75%).

Similarly, “platform-level boarding so wheelchairs and strollers can roll on and off easily and quickly” is very important to a solid majority of voters in each city – Boston (64%), Chicago (58%), Nashville (63%) and Pittsburgh (62%).
Voters also find that faster travel time is a very important benefit of BRT – Boston (48%), Chicago (53%), Nashville (46%) and Pittsburgh (50%).

Category: Featured, General Update