APTA Publishes 2021 Fact Book

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has released its annual Public Transportation Fact Book, which covers transit finances and operating statistics by modes of travel; transit vehicle characteristics and deliveries; federal grants and the Federal Transit Act; and statistical trends for Canadian transit operations.

APTA’s 2021 Fact Book (download below) is based on research from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) National Transit Database for 2019. The database covers all public transportation agencies receiving funding from the Urbanized Area Formula Program (5307) or Rural Formula Program (5311).

Among the 2021 Fact Book highlights:

• Long-term investment in public transit supports 50,000 jobs and $382 million in tax revenue per $1 billion invested.
• 87% of transit trips directly benefit the local economy.
• 6 billion gallons of gas are saved each year from public transportation use.
• CO2 emissions are reduced by 84% through subway rather than automobile use.

“As the information in our annual Fact Book shows, investing in public transit will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and public health, and help transform our nation’s transportation network for a sustainable future,” APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said. “Public transportation creates access to opportunities, including jobs, healthcare and education, which can help our communities address the equity challenges that they face. The entire industry will continue working with Congress and the Administration to capitalize on this opportunity to provide the public transportation investments necessary to address our nation’s climate and equity challenges and build back better.”