5 Ways Public Transportation Improves Midsize Cities

In midsize cities across the nation, lack of investment in public transportation hinders economic growth, sustainability efforts, and social mobility. Without reliable bus and rail systems, local governments must prioritize land use for traffic and parking needs, and the resulting urban sprawl disproportionately affects marginalized workers and families.

To make cities livable, sustainable, and equitable, local governments must invest in transit options that benefit everyone. Below are the top five ways public transportation improves midsize cities.

1. It provides long-term benefits to the local economy.

In 2020, the American Public Transit Association found that every $1 billion invested in public transportation can create 49,700 jobs, yielding a 5 to 1 economic return. Transit investment delivers both short-term and long-term impacts on economic growth, as it creates private-sector jobs and boosts area business sales.

Public transportation investment also lifts property values, creating the opportunity for local governments to defray transit operating costs with increased tax revenues.

2. Increased transit options alleviate traffic.

In the U.S., the average one-way commute by car increased by 10% from 2006 to 2019. In growing metropolitan areas, long-term investment in public transportation options like bus and rail systems can offer alternatives to congested roadways connecting suburban neighborhoods to the center city. 

Bus and rail systems not only help cities to use space more efficiently -- in many cases, they also offer shorter commutes and boost productivity by allowing commuters time to read, work or rest on their way to work.

3. Less parking allows cities to optimize land use.

Studies show that residential parking demand decreases where public transportation is available — and cutting down on the real estate needed for parking comes with a bevy of benefits. It supports the urban tree canopy, boosts walkability, and applies downward pressure to the cost of living by allowing for higher density development.

4. Reducing fuel emissions helps the climate.

Climate experts have long recognized public transportation as a critical element of a green future. The private vehicle is the largest contributor to a household’s carbon footprint, while public transportation in the U.S. saves 4.2 billion gallons of gas and 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

5. Shared facilities create equity and social benefits.

Where wealth inequality dictates disparities in housing, public transportation can level the mobility playing field. With access to a thriving transit system, someone who is unable to drive or afford a car gets a wider range of choices in where they work and play.

Cities that put public space to good use also offer opportunities for spontaneous interaction between residents who may otherwise never meet. Investment in shared transit facilities gives community members more opportunities to connect during their everyday lives.