CTAI Blog

What factors do home owners look for when deciding what and where to purchase? As the adage goes, "Location, Location, Location." However, the question is then, location in relation to what? The answer may well be Transit.

Despite the recent good news that US ridership of public transportation was nearly record-breaking this year, the fact remains that this just isn't true everywhere. While overall usage of mass transit is improving, there are certainly markets within the United States where public transportation isn't even receiving basic care and maintenance, nonetheless being cultivated as an essential part of our communities.

Interestingly, and rather poignantly, many of the areas wherein mass transit failed to thrive were areas where legislation that would have instituted funding measures failed to pass. No one likes paying more taxes, but keeping our communities' infrastructure maintained and supported is crucial to developing neighborhoods that thrive. Sadly, in the cases of cities like Atlanta, Georgia, and Tacoma, Washington, it seems that a passing vote in favor of increases of a mere penny or a fraction of a percentage increase in sales tax would have made the difference. One can only wonder if perhaps similar votes will go differently in communities wherein transit ridership is lagging the next time around, but it seems an obvious guess that without the willingness to put into supporting and renewing our public transit, the system will continue to deteriorate and eventually will fail. For more, read the full article at The Atlantic Cities.

For a variety of reasons, from concerns over pollution to enjoying some quiet time during their commute, more people are utilizing Mass Transit, saving money on their travels, and helping ease traffic congestion by doing so.

As reported by CNN, according to a report by the American Public Transportation Association, the numbers are in for 2012. Since data collection began in 1957, 2012 ranks as the year with the second highest ridership on mass transit, coming in just below 2008. With an increase of 1.5% over 2011-- equal to about 154.3 million rides-- 2012's numbers are especially impressive considering the blows that mass transit took because of intense weather conditions including 'Superstorm Sandy', which left much of the East Coast crippled. 

What factors are influencing more consumers to utilize mass transit? The advantages are plentiful and becoming more and more obvious to cost-concerned travelers. Although many riders started using buses and trains as a way to avoid the $4+ gas prices, most stuck with the lifestyle change after realizing it also spared them from traffic and the general unpleasantness of rush hour commuting! While on a bus or train, one can read, get some work done, even take a nap. We're also seeing more communities implementing public transit and improving older systems, improving the experience just that much more. 

Mass transit seems to be gaining support from voters across the country as well. It has even been theorized that this shift in favor of public transportation may be largely attributed to younger riders, so perhaps we'll continue to see these strides in ridership. Whatever the reason behind this boost, sustaining this increased usage of mass transit can only aid in creating several factors which are beneficial to our communities: a reduction in pollution, eased congestion and less traffic, and an overall healthier demographic of people.

Do you have trouble fitting in your recommended amount of daily exercise? What if it was just another part of your routine? This is another great reason to love your commute by transit! 

The American Journal of Public Health boasts, "Walking [is] associated With Public Transit... [We're] moving toward increased physical activity in the United States." In order for an individual to get to that bus or train they're trying to catch, they must walk! And, depending on how timely you are, that walk is sometimes rather brisk. Regardless of your pace, however, a study by the US Department of Transportation, utilizing data collected by a telephone survey, found that "Transit walkers in large urban areas with a rail system were 72% more likely to transit walk 30 minutes or more per day than were those without a rail system." With 2012 boasting the highest numbers of transit users ever, except for 2008, we can confidently assess that use of mass transit is not only here to stay, but continuing to flourish with higher ridership, better planning, and likely the best maintenance and comfort level for riders yet. The AJPH continues, "From 2001 to 2009, the estimated number of transit walkers rose from 7.5 million to 9.6 million (a 28% increase); those whose transit-associated walking time was 30 minutes or more increased from approximately 2.6 million to 3.4 million (a 31% increase)." 

Mass transit already supports our community development in so many ways; isn't it great to know that it's aiding the physical health of our communities as well? Recognizing this bonus, the AJPH summarizes, "Transit walking contributes to meeting physical activity recommendations, ...potentially influencing transportation planning decisions." It's exciting to think that our community planning efforts in the future may be supported, not only be increased support for mass transit, but by creating a truly walkable area in which our communities can flourish.