Use of public transportation in the D.C. metro area saves 245 million gallons of oil a year and more than $640 million in gas, according to a study released Friday that promotes taxpayer investment in transit.
The report from U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups, concludes that America‘s “automobile-centered transportation system” is “increasingly out of step with the challenges of the 21st century.” Projects such as the proposed Metrorail connection to Washington Dulles International Airport demand federal investment, the study’s author said, while transit nationally must become a higher priority in future transportation funding authorizations.
“Our report clearly shows our country deserves, wants and needs a strong federal commitment to projects like the Dulles Extension in order to meet our long-term transportation challenges,” John Krieger, staff attorney with U.S. PIRG, said during a news conference outside the Eastern Market Metro Station.
According to the PIRG study, transit saves D.C. 71.5 million gallons of oil annually, $187.3 million in gas costs and 531.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
PIRG claims that the federal government has dedicated nine times more dollars to roads than to transit. But Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity, R-Springfield, disagreed with the thesis that there’s been little investment in mass transportation options.
“That’s a great emotional statement but the facts don’t support it,” Herrity said. “We need a balanced transportation system and roads are as important as transit as a component.”
Dulles rail would triple the capacity of the Dulles Toll Road while reducing growth of congestion on the busy Virginia highway, said Patty Nicoson, president of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association. But the project is stuck in purgatory while federal officials debate whether to invest $900 million in the effort.
Study snippets
» Feds have invested nine times more in highways than transit since 1950s
» 21 percent of Americans believe building new roads is best solution for reducing traffic
» 75 percent believe improving public transit and building communities that require less driving are better solutions
Source: U.S. PIRG
