By APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy

The latest report by the Free Congress Foundation titled: “Transportation and the Economic Health and Attractiveness of Metropolitan Regions” is an important addition to the public dialogue in infrastructure investment.

The report was authored by Michael S Bronzini, PhD, P.C., Transportation Fellow of the Free Congress Foundation, a conservative organization funded by the late Paul Weyrich. The report highlights the importance public transportation has to a local region and its economy.

Overall, the report makes the case that public transportation is an essential strategy for making metropolitan regions attractive to business, appealing to new generations, and critical in priming the pumps of America’s metropolitan economic engines. The report emphasizes that regions with a forward-looking vision will look to public transportation for a strong role in underpinning their evolving economies and to serve future mobility needs.

Secondly the report also makes the case that thriving metro economies rely on rural and non-metro areas for manufactured goods and products that support the public transportation and overall transportation industry. This makes these metro-economies a win-win for all parts of the country.

James S. Gilmore III, former Republican Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and President and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation framed it accurately as he discussed the state of the nation’s infrastructure during the release of this report.

Governor Gilmore states, “During these troubling economic times America’s economic engine is still the envy of the world, but our transportation infrastructure needs more attention. We at the Free Congress Foundation believe that building up our metropolitan regions through transportation policy will enhance economic growth for the entire country.”

We appreciate the Free Congress Foundation’s perspective on the importance of transportation investment and APTA is proud to have sponsored this report and have worked with this organization for over 17 years.

Let us know what you think. Should we have a stronger emphasis on boosting up our investment in transportation infrastructure in metropolitan regions – particularly public transit? Can this investment be a great strategy for creating jobs in our rural areas because the transportation industry relies on the non metro areas to manufacture goods to support it?

by Mantill Williams, American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Director of Advocacy Communications

Okay, admit it, your ambitious plan to be at the gym five days a week is not working out quite the way you envisioned. Some estimates note that 60 percent of gym memberships go unused and attendance gets back to normal after mid-February. This means you may need to add another healthy habit to your gym routine that will keep your body in motion.

According to the study Evaluating Public Transportation Health Benefits, high frequency public transportation and transit oriented development (walkable, mixed use communities located around transit stations) tend to affect travel activity in ways that provides large health benefits such as increased physical activity and improved mental health. Yes, being stuck in traffic day after day does wear on you mentally.

The study highlights that the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that adults average at least 22 daily minutes of moderate physical activity such as brisk walking, to stay fit and healthy. Although less than half of American adults achieve this target, most public transportation passengers do exercise the recommended amount while walking to and from transit stations and stops.

Let’s hear from you. Does taking public transportation give you the opportunity get in your 22 minutes of daily walking exercise?

Members of the APTA Executive Committee and senior staff meet wtih White House Officials. APTA and FTA leadership in the front row, from the left: FTA Administrator Peter M. Rogoff, FTA Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan, APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy, APTA Chair Flora Castillo, and APTA Vice Chair Peter Varga.

In my years of service on the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Executive Committee and during my term as APTA Chair, ever-increasing contact with senior-level White House staff has helped APTA bring our issues directly to the highest levels of government.

In mid March, members of the APTA Executive Committee met for two hours with White House staffers as well as Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff and Deputy Transit Administrator Therese McMillan on a variety of topics including:

•Expedited grant / program delivery
•Public transportation’s role in environmental sustainability
•Public transportation’s role in implementing the Affordable Health Care Act, providing vital access to health care
•Public transportation’s role in a national strategy to create jobs and stimulate economic activity

In each of these topics, attendees did a great job in citing poignant, specific local examples of public transportation and the positive impact it is having.

As part of this meeting, representatives from Vice-President Biden’s office made special emphasis in seeking the involvement of APTA members in an issue receiving great attention from the White House, that is the transportation involved in human trafficking. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority was recognized as an agency that has been particularly pro-active in its employee training, in involving riders, and in generally promoting measures to stay on guard. LACMTA received an APTA Ad-Wheel award in 2012 for its human trafficking awareness campaign. In the coming weeks and months APTA will be making special efforts to engage transit agencies and businesses in discussion groups and webinars to heighten awareness and involvement on this issue. Other national transportation organizations, such as the National Association of Flight Attendants, are similarly involved.

Outreach to new partners has been and will continue to be a special emphasis during my term as APTA chair. Whether it be government, business or in the Association world or think tank world, I pledge to do my part to help translate these relationships into a heightened recognition of the role of public transportation, as well as favorable actions to enable its growth, health and development.

Finally, I want to add that the APTA Executive Committee was pleased to be joined by a member of the current Leadership APTA class, Hector Garcia of the Long Island Railroad. We thank Hector for the perspectives he brought to this meeting.

By Jeffrey Wharton, president of IMPulse NC LLC, and first vice-chair of the APTA Business Member Board of Governors

Public Transportation and High-Speed Rail are vital to the continued growth of America’s infrastructure and economy. The American Public Transportation’s Business Members Board of Governors has recently created a report that discusses the great economic benefits of embracing public transit and high-speed rail. The report titled The Business Case for Investment in Public Transportation notes that public transportation is a $57 billion industry in the United States.

This information builds on previous research on America’s infrastructure, and economic impact papers. The brochure is targeted to the business community and it may have particular interest from a number of entities that include local Chambers of Commerce, architects, small businesses, and those interested in investing in sustainable communities.

The data in the report gives support to the fact that when you grow public transportation you grow the economy, business, jobs, and a diversity of methods of travel. I hope that you take a moment to read The Business Case for Investment in Public Transportation and take some good facts from it for your future discussions with supporters, colleagues, and those who are interested in learning the powerful economic impact of investment in public transportation.

by APTA Chair Flora Castillo

APTA has joined forces with the White House and the US Department of Transportation to build broader awareness of the importance of public transportation to the Hispanic community and encourage even more engagement in shaping transportation policy.

At the request of the White House and DOT, APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy and I brought together an impressive group of Hispanic public transportation leaders to discuss issues and develop outreach strategies. We held our first conference call in February and last week, we met in Washington DC with Julie Rodriguez, White House Associate Director of Latino Affairs.

Why is this initiative so important?

Because public transportation is essential to the Hispanic community. An APTA 2007 survey found that 14.3% of all riders on public transportation are Hispanic. And, according to the U.S. census, 17% of Hispanic households do not own a car.

Jobs are critical to our country and to the Hispanic community. Public transportation is a key means of gaining access to jobs. Out industry not only takes people to work, it also puts people to work. Public transportation is a $57 billion industry that employs more than 400,000 people, and we offer many opportunities for jobs and careers — for good-paying middle class jobs, as President Obama has said. Our workforce goes beyond bus operators and rail conductors and includes IT specialists, accountants, planners, engineers, and lawyers. Regardless of what position you name, the industry’s public and private sector organizations have it in their employ.

There are many business and contracting opportunities for Hispanic-owned businesses. All in all, 74 percent of public funding flows to the private sector, creating and supporting hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs. In addition, public transit systems throughout the country have specific programs to encourage more small businesses to contract with them.

Public transit is literally a lifeline for people to access health care and educational opportunities, both of which are very important to the Hispanic community. This is why I personally have such a passion for public transportation and why I appreciate the opportunity to give a voice to these issues.

Beyond the individual benefits, public transit is key to a community’s economic vitality. A train station or bus stop is often the anchor to a neighborhood and helps to generate business activity and increase residential values. Study after study has shown that real estate values within close proximity to public transit are higher than those that are not located close to it. Just last week, APTA and the National Association of Realtors released a new study that showed that during the last recession, residential property values showed more resiliency and performed 42 percent better, on average, if they were located near public transportation with high-frequency service. As NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said, “A sound transportation system not only benefits the individual property owner but it also creates the foundation for a community’s long term economic well-being.”

For all the reasons outlined above, public transportation is a critical component in the lives of this nation’s Hispanics. This is why we need to focus on getting more of their community leaders involved. But we must ensure that this is a two-way conversation. We need to listen to them to better understand what they value with regard to transportation. Their voices need to be front and center as we shape transportation policy – together – for decades to come. It’s what we owe future generations of Americans.

Attending the meeting from left to right are: Frank Alejandro, Chief Operations Officer, Los Angeles County MTA; Jose Bustamante, VP of Rail, RK and K, Flora Castillo, APTA chair and NJ TRANSIT Board member; Rosa Navejar, President, The Rios Group, Fort Worth, TX; Kathy Waters, APTA Vice President; Julie Rodriguez, White House Associate Director of Latino Affairs; Michael Melaniphy, APTA President and CEO; Bryna Helfer, DOT Director of Public Engagement; Terry Solis, the Solis Group, Pasadena, CA; Brian Farber, FTA Associate Administrator, Angie Malpiede, Board Member, Regional Transit District, Denver, CO; and Maria Elena Juarez, Associate Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, DOT. James de LaLoza, senior VP, AECOM, participated by phone.

by APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy

High-frequency public transit makes communities better and consumers are responding by making these communities popular, even during a recession.

These communities are better because public transit makes all other mobility options more functional—fewer cars on the road, more walkable neighborhoods and an environment more accessible to cyclists.

APTA and NAR Releases New Study

Recently, along with the National Association of Realtors, we released new information from the study The New Real-Estate Mantra: Location near Public Transportation.

We looked at data from a five-region representative sample of the U.S. They showed that average sales prices for residences in close proximity to high-frequency public transit were more stable during the recession, supporting the assertion that public transit access helped mitigate the effects of the recession on property values.

In fact on average, home values performed 42 percent better when located near high-frequency public transportation.

What do I mean by high-frequency public transit? High-frequency public transportation includes heavy rail, or commonly known as subway, light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit or also referred to as BRT.

Why do Home Values Perform Better Near Public Transit?

First, consumers are choosing neighborhoods with high-frequency public transit because they provide more mobility options. People like the idea of having more than one way of getting around.

Second, these areas have superior access to jobs compared to nearby areas without similar public transit investment.

And third, other attractive amenities in these neighborhoods include lower transportation costs and walkable areas. And when I say lower transportation costs that means lower transportation costs for all in the area. Lower cost even for those who do not use public transit because these areas are also known for shorter car trips due to robust amenities close by. In addition there are many opportunities for walking and biking.

These findings show that communities benefit when they respond to market demand. Clearly consumers are voting with their feet, showing they want communities with more choices.

Five-Region Study Area

In this study, we chose five regions that are a representative sample of the types of high-frequency public transit systems throughout the U.S.

The five cities are Minneapolis-St. Paul, San Francisco, Chicago, Phoenix and Boston. These cities are also representative of the type of communities that are served by public transit around the country.

While residential property values declined substantially between 2006 to 2011, properties close to public transit showed significantly stronger resiliency. The following are a few examples from the study: In Boston, residential property in the rapid transit area outperformed other properties in the region by an incredible 129 percent. In the Chicago public transit area home values performed 30 percent better than the region; in San Francisco, 37 percent; Minneapolis-St Paul, 48 percent; and in Phoenix 37 percent.

Impact on Access to Jobs and Transportation Costs

Now let’s take a deeper look at Boston and Phoenix and I will focus on two important factors: 1) access to jobs and 2) transportation cost for residents living near fixed-guideway public transit. Boston has a mature public transportation system and Phoenix represent a relatively new system.

When we look at access to jobs, the Phoenix public transit area provides 88,000 jobs per square mile versus 32,000 jobs for the region. That equates to more than twice as many jobs per square mile. Those who live near high-frequency public transit in Phoenix save $175 dollars per month in transportation costs.

The Boston public transit area provides access to almost three times as many jobs per square mile. There are 170,000 jobs in the Boston transit area versus 57,000 in the region per square mile.

In the Boston public transit area, residents save $351 per month versus those who do not live near fixed-guideway public transit.

Community as a Whole Benefits from Home Value Resiliency

Finally, these findings show that communities benefit when they respond to market demand. Clearly consumers are voting with their feet, showing they want communities with more choices.

The presence of high-frequency transit not only benefits individual property owners, it also supports a more resilient tax base.

In fact, stable property values in areas with public transit access have a number of policy implications.

First, as Congress and state and local governments look for ways to accelerate growth and promote long-term economic health, these data show that investing in public transportation is a boon to revitalizing our economy.

Secondly, public transportation infrastructure investment can support other community goals, such as public safety, access to education and a healthier more vibrant community.

We need higher levels of long-term investment to keep up.

by the Amerian Public Transportation Association President and CEO Michael Melaniphy

The announcement today of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2013 Report Card on America’s infrastructure resulted in the U.S. public transportation infrastructure receiving a “D” grade for America’s lack of investment. This grade should provide a sense of urgency for our nation to focus on increased investment in public transportation. The rating is virtually unchanged from four years ago, which was the last time ASCE examined the state of America’s infrastructure. The report titled ‘Failure to Act, the Impact of Current Infrastructure Investment on America’s Economic Future’ also provided success stories of the positive impact of investment in public transit.

I want to commend ASCE for highlighting the need for urgent investment in our nation’s public transportation infrastructure in their report. The report shows that there are devastating consequences to our economy and to our mobility when we do not make investing in America’s infrastructure a priority.

The “Failure to Act” report emphasizes that the American economy lost $90 billion in 2010 due to the lack of investment in public transportation. The report also shows that even though public transit ridership increased by 9.1 percent over the past decade, there are still 45 percent of Americans who lack access to public transit in their communities.

ASCE also highlighted examples of how public transportation can perform for America when key investments are made. The report noted Denver’s Eagle public-private partnership (P3) project. This was a first-of-its-kind agreement to design/build/finance/operate/maintain a $2.1 billion expansion of Denver’s public transit network. As the report notes, the Eagle P3 project will enable the Denver region to attract more residents and jobs. The report also discusses Los Angeles’ America Fast Forward project where investment in over $20 billion in new federal lending power will create 160,000 highway and public transit construction-related jobs and save an estimated 10.3 million gallons of gasoline annually.

How many more reports do we need to tell us that we must make investing in America’s infrastructure a priority? Our country must get serious about investing in infrastructure including public transportation. APTA strongly supports ASCE’s message that our country must act now to invest in the nation’s infrastructure. This is an investment in our economic future and essential for our mobility.

By APTA President and CEO, Michael Melaniphy

There is a sea change going on in the way that people look at transportation in this country. Americans want travel choices; they want to be able to choose the best travel option for their lives. What is exciting is that more and more Americans are choosing and supporting public transportation.

Record 10.5 Billion Trips on Public Transit in 2012

Last year the demand for public transportation rose as Americans took 10.5 billion trips, the second highest ridership since 1957, and 154 million more trips than the previous year, according to a report released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This was the seventh year in a row that more than 10 billion trips were taken on public transportation systems nationwide.

What is tremendous is that every mode of public transportation showed an increase in ridership. Public transit ridership grew in all areas of the country – north, south, east, and west — in small, medium and large communities, with at least 16 public transit systems reporting record ridership.

Ridership Up Despite Impact of Hurricane Sandy

Considering the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy on some of the nation’s largest systems, this record level of ridership is truly significant. According to APTA analysis, 74 million trips were lost when public transit systems from Washington, D.C. to Boston were shut down due to Hurricane Sandy and the blizzard that followed the next week.

Volatile Gas Prices and Recovering Economy Drive Increase Ridership

Two big reasons for the increased national transit ridership are volatile gas prices, and in certain localities, a recovering economy with more people returning to work. Public transportation saves people money, and people save even more so when gas prices spike. Also, since nearly 60 percent of trips taken on public transportation are for work commutes, it makes sense that ridership increases in areas where the economy has improved and new jobs have been added.

People are not only showing their support for public transit by using it in record numbers last year, but they are overwhelming supporting it by passing transit-oriented state and local ballot initiatives. In 2012, 49 out of 62 state and local ballot initiatives passed with a nearly 80 percent passage rate. This high rate of success demonstrates how important public transportation is to people and to communities.

Click here to see the complete APTA 2012 ridership report.

Let us know what you think. Do you see more people riding public transit in your area?

By Christian Richards, APTA Legislative Analyst

It is that time of year again, when APTA members migrate to Washington, DC, to meet with their elected congressional representatives and discuss important issues facing public transportation. The 38th Annual APTA Legislative Conference which is held March 10-12 is the public transportation industry’s best opportunity to ensure that transit’s message is heard loud and clear in Washington, and this year presents no shortage of legislative issues to address.

Impact of Sequestration

With Congress and the Obama administration failing to reach agreement on ways to reduce the federal deficit and debt, the Budget Control Act’s sequestration provision kicked in on March 1, forcing across-the-board spending cuts to both defense and nondefense discretionary programs. While the Highway Trust Fund programs, including those funded from the Mass Transit Account, are exempt from sequestration cuts, transit programs funded with general funds—such as New Starts, FTA administration, and FTA research, as well as emergency relief for public transit systems damaged by Hurricane Sandy and grants to Amtrak and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority—did have their budgets cut on March 1. These are important programs to our industry, and the Legislative Conference provides an opportunity to tell Congress how these cuts will affect your community, system, or business.

Continuing Resolution Deadline Approaches

Congress is also rapidly approaching another budget deadline, as the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 short-term appropriations continuing resolution (CR) expires on March 27. The House Appropriations Committee began work on a full-year funding bill to fund federal programs for the remainder of FY 2013 early last week, but it will likely take through the end of the month for Congress to wrap up its work on this legislation.

Public Transit Leaders Bring Message to DC

As hundreds of industry leaders from across the country are gathering at the Legislative Conference to examine these and many other important issues facing public transportation over the next few days, the message is clear: Industry officials need to make certain that Washington, DC knows that public transportation—agencies, manufacturers, and the entire business community—makes a lasting, positive impact on our country and is essential in advancing national goals.

Statement by APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy

On behalf of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and its 1,500 members across the country, I applaud President Obama for highlighting the connection between American jobs and transportation infrastructure investment in his State of the Union speech. President Obama’s call to undertake fix-it first projects for aging infrastructure, as well as invest in high-speed rail, underscores the critical importance of transportation. Clearly, transportation is the backbone of a thriving economy that is essential to ensuring that the United States is globally competitive.

President Obama’s emphasis on transportation infrastructure reminds us of the past infrastructure projects that made America great from New York City’s Grand Central Terminal that is celebrating its 100 birthday this year, to the Transcontinental Railroad that was started under President Lincoln. This generation of Americans must take up the challenge to make sure that America continues to be the land of economic opportunity. Now is the time to look to the future, to ensure that America maintains its global competitiveness and its position as the country of economic opportunity.

Public transportation has an important role to play in promoting a prosperous and growing economy. The public transportation industry is a $57 billion industry with nearly 400,000 employees. For every $1 billion invested in public transportation, 36,000 jobs are created and supported, not just at public transit systems, but also in businesses in the public transit supply sector. Additionally, not only does investment in public transportation create and support American jobs, it also provides access to jobs. Nearly 60 percent of the trips taken on public transportation are taken for work commutes.

Additionally, President Obama also spoke of the need for the United States to become energy independent. Public transportation also helps in this endeavor as every year, U.S. public transportation saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline.

APTA’s members stand ready to work with the Administration and Congress to increase economic opportunity in our great country and to help our nation’s economy recover through transportation infrastructure investment.