GarrettCarey
23 July 2002, 04:39 PM
Rail’s Increasing Popularity Is Ticket to Economic Growth
New Data Show Surge in Passenger Rail Systems
BALTIMORE, MD, June 10, 2002 — The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) today released new figures showing that communities increasingly are choosing passenger rail as a way to move people safely and efficiently, stimulate the economy and help revitalize neighborhoods.
Today, more than three billion passengers use some form of rail service annually. Between 1990 and 2000, total ridership for all forms of passenger rail increased by more than 18 percent.
Since 1990, rail ridership has increased by more than a half billion passengers and the total number of systems has grown by nearly 50 percent — from 36 to 54 today. Currently, 46 new rail systems are planned or in development, increasing the total to 100. At the same time, Congress has authorized funding for additional rail service, which could cause the number of systems to double during the next decade.
The data, which were presented at APTA’s Commuter Rail/Rail Transit Conference in Baltimore, MD this week, demonstrate that passenger rail systems and ridership in the U.S. are increasing at an exponential rate.
"Passenger rail service is vital to America’s future," said APTA Chair Peter M. Cipolla, who is General Manager of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, CA. "It’s popular because it works, providing greater options, benefits and opportunities for people in a wide variety of metropolitan areas."
Recent studies show that rail systems stimulate economic development, with a return on investment as high as 6 to 1. In some communities, like Salt Lake City, UT, San Diego, CA, and Denver, CO, rail systems have played an essential role in attracting major events and millions of visitors. The availability of high quality public transportation, including a new light rail system, was a primary factor in helping Salt Lake City win the bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
The increased popularity of rail or "rail renaissance" has been fueled by two major federal transportation programs known as the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21). Together, these initiatives have contributed nearly $19 billion to developing America’s passenger rail infrastructure since 1992. In addition, the public has increasingly demanded new transportation options that offer alternatives to more roads.
APTA President William W. Millar said, "We’ve shown that if you build it, people don’t just come — they prosper! Investing in new rail transportation not only increases access and choice for people traveling to school and work, but it also creates and sustains jobs, invigorates urban areas, increases tourism, expands the tax base, and makes cities more livable."
This year’s Commuter Rail/Rail Transit Conference involves nearly 1,000 participants from around the U.S. and Canada, including operators and technicians, urban planners, economic development leaders, engineers and designers, and rail manufacturers. The event is focused, in part, on the need for new rail systems, as well as the necessity of reauthorizing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21). The current act, which provides all federal funds for public transportation, expires in 2003.
"In every region and in various types of communities, Americans want more rail; the numbers speak for themselves," said Millar. "We must find new ways and new funding to meet that need."
www.apta.com/news/releases/railren.htm (http://www.apta.com/news/releases/railren.htm)
New Data Show Surge in Passenger Rail Systems
BALTIMORE, MD, June 10, 2002 — The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) today released new figures showing that communities increasingly are choosing passenger rail as a way to move people safely and efficiently, stimulate the economy and help revitalize neighborhoods.
Today, more than three billion passengers use some form of rail service annually. Between 1990 and 2000, total ridership for all forms of passenger rail increased by more than 18 percent.
Since 1990, rail ridership has increased by more than a half billion passengers and the total number of systems has grown by nearly 50 percent — from 36 to 54 today. Currently, 46 new rail systems are planned or in development, increasing the total to 100. At the same time, Congress has authorized funding for additional rail service, which could cause the number of systems to double during the next decade.
The data, which were presented at APTA’s Commuter Rail/Rail Transit Conference in Baltimore, MD this week, demonstrate that passenger rail systems and ridership in the U.S. are increasing at an exponential rate.
"Passenger rail service is vital to America’s future," said APTA Chair Peter M. Cipolla, who is General Manager of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, CA. "It’s popular because it works, providing greater options, benefits and opportunities for people in a wide variety of metropolitan areas."
Recent studies show that rail systems stimulate economic development, with a return on investment as high as 6 to 1. In some communities, like Salt Lake City, UT, San Diego, CA, and Denver, CO, rail systems have played an essential role in attracting major events and millions of visitors. The availability of high quality public transportation, including a new light rail system, was a primary factor in helping Salt Lake City win the bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
The increased popularity of rail or "rail renaissance" has been fueled by two major federal transportation programs known as the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21). Together, these initiatives have contributed nearly $19 billion to developing America’s passenger rail infrastructure since 1992. In addition, the public has increasingly demanded new transportation options that offer alternatives to more roads.
APTA President William W. Millar said, "We’ve shown that if you build it, people don’t just come — they prosper! Investing in new rail transportation not only increases access and choice for people traveling to school and work, but it also creates and sustains jobs, invigorates urban areas, increases tourism, expands the tax base, and makes cities more livable."
This year’s Commuter Rail/Rail Transit Conference involves nearly 1,000 participants from around the U.S. and Canada, including operators and technicians, urban planners, economic development leaders, engineers and designers, and rail manufacturers. The event is focused, in part, on the need for new rail systems, as well as the necessity of reauthorizing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21). The current act, which provides all federal funds for public transportation, expires in 2003.
"In every region and in various types of communities, Americans want more rail; the numbers speak for themselves," said Millar. "We must find new ways and new funding to meet that need."
www.apta.com/news/releases/railren.htm (http://www.apta.com/news/releases/railren.htm)