By using public transportation in 2011, commuters in 498 U.S. urban areas saved 865 million hours of delay in congested traffic and 450 million gallons of gasoline, according to the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) 2012 Urban Mobility Report released Feb. 5. The report also noted that, without public transportation, the cost of congestion would have increased from $121 billion to $142 billion.

“The report demonstrates how important public transportation is, not only as one of the solutions to reducing traffic congestion, but also in reducing fuel use and travel delays,” said APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy. “Mayors know that a city’s competitive position is enhanced by reducing congestion. Public transportation is a key tool in minimizing congestion.”

Melaniphy continued: “Everyone should support public transportation in their community since it offers many vital benefits. For example, by taking a bus or train instead of driving, people can save money, something that is on everyone’s minds as gas prices continue to rise. Not only does public transportation help people commute to work, the public transit industry offers good, American jobs.”

Of the areas studied, the top 10 in terms of hours of delay saved are New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT; Chicago, IL-IN; Boston, MA-NH-RI; San Francisco-Oakland, CA; Washington, DC-VA-MD; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA; Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD; Seattle; Miami; and Baltimore.

“This report serves as further evidence that Congress needs to find the funding mechanism to support a long-term surface transportation bill that will increase public transportation service and ensure that our infrastructure needs are met,” said Melaniphy. “As this report points out, traffic congestion will continue to increase. We need more public transportation, not less.”

Click here to access the report.