Today, OSPIRG released a major new report on oil savings and other benefits from
public transportation across the country. The report, A Better Way to Go: Meeting America’s 21st
Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit, examines the
challenges faced by America’s
transportation system and the benefits of existing rail and bus projects in Oregon.
According to the report, two Oregon cities rank among
the best in the country for savings in oil, gasoline cost, and carbon emissions.
Eugene ranks
among the top 15 for cities with a population under 500,000, saving nearly $1.5
million in fuel costs in 2006. At
today’s prices, that’s $1.9 million. Portland among the top
cities of any size for total savings, with 33.2 million gallons of oil saved,
$86.9 million in gasoline costs, and 277.9 thousand metric tons of carbon
dioxide in savings. Despite our
relatively small population, our public transportation systems put Oregon at 13th
among the states in overall savings of oil, gas cost, and carbon emissions.
Around the country transit saves
3.4 billion gallons of oil each year, prevents 541 million hours of traffic
delay and reduces global warming pollution by 26 million tons. Demand for
public transportation is booming nationally, with transit trips far outpacing
the growth of auto miles or population since 1995.
“This report shows
why we need to keep a high priority on transit in Oregon said Matt Wallace, OSPIRG consumer
associate. “It puts clear numbers on how public transit reduces oil dependence,
traffic congestion, and global warming pollution.”
National public opinion polls
that 53 percent of commuters would prefer to use more public transportation if
it were available near their home and workplace. An overwhelming majority of
the public, seventy-five percent, tell pollsters that transit is the best way
to fight traffic congestion.
"Oregon is leading the nation when it comes to public transit, and in more ways than one. In addition to leading the way on in-state transit solutions, Oregonians can be proud that Congressmen DeFazio and Blumenauer both champion smart transit solutions at the national level, Congressman DeFazio also playing a central role as the chair of the House subcommittee on highways and transit,” said Wallace. “This report shows that transit saves Oregonians energy, time, and money. With rising gas prices and increasing traffic projected for the future, we can’t afford not to invest in projects that meet our country’s long-term needs.”
