North Carolina Transit Ridership Exploded in 2008
Increase was second highest in the nation
Raleigh, NC – Record numbers of North Carolinians rode the bus or the train last year, fueling an increase in transit ridership that outpaced all but one other state. A new Environment North Carolina report, “Getting On Track: Record Transit Ridership Increases Energy Independence,” shows ridership was up 16 percent in 2008—thanks in part to the 20 percent surge in ridership in the Triangle.
Transportation is responsible for two thirds of the nation’s dependence on oil and more than a third of the state’s global warming emissions.
“Last year, the Triangle had more transportation alternatives than ever before, and citizens took advantage of those choices in droves, helping to reduce air and global warming pollution and our dependence on oil,” said Margaret Hartzell, Global Warming Advocate with Environment North Carolina. “Last year, North Carolinians proved the old adage, ‘If you build it, they will come.’”
North Carolinians also drove less in 2008, with 2,278,000 fewer miles driven than in the year before – a 2 percent decrease. People drove less due in part to volatile fuel prices and decreased economic activity, and many of these car trips were replaced by transit.
“As this report illustrates, demand for public transportation alternatives in high-growth areas such as the Triangle is far outpacing supply. Given the potential that transit projects have to help us address transportation needs and broader challenges such as climate change and energy independence, federal investments in public transit are no longer just a matter of dollars and cents — they are a matter of our core national interest,” said U.S. Representative David Price (D-04).
The report also showed that 2008 increased statewide transit ridership saved more than 20 million gallons of gasoline, the equivalent of the fuel nearly 35,000 cars use in one year. The report did not calculate other benefits of increased transit ridership –including reduced congestion, fewer hours stuck in traffic, reductions in smog and soot pollution or money saved by households regularly taking transit.
“Every additional dollar we spend on public transit makes us less dependent on oil and reduces global warming pollution, smog, and asthma attacks,” continued Hartzell.
In addition to fuel savings, public transportation reduced global warming pollution in North Carolina by 185,000 tons in 2008. In order to maximize public transportation’s potential to save energy and reduce pollution, Environment North Carolina is calling for more and cleaner public transportation alternatives, including transit, high speed rail, and better walking and biking options.
In the near term, Environment North Carolina is eager for cities to take advantage of a new law championed by Reps. Deborah Ross (D-Wake) and Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg) that allows local governments to raise revenue to support public transit.
Environment North Carolina is also calling on Congress to incorporate the full provisions of CLEAN TEA (the Clean, Low Emissions, Affordable New Transportation Equity Act, S. 575) into the energy and climate bill soon to be debated in the Senate. CLEAN TEA would direct 10 percent of climate bill allowances to clean transportation efforts that will save oil and reduce emissions. The House-passed version of the President’s energy plan increases transit funding by 1 percent.
“To reduce air global warming pollution along with our dependence on oil, Sen. Hagan should support a strong energy bill with increased transit funding,” said Hartzell.
