Public transportation connects millions of Americans with opportunities, jobs, and communities across the country. With buses leading as the most popular transit mode, these services shape daily mobility while driving economic growth and environmental benefits.
Buses Lead America’s Transit Revolution
The larger share of public transportation commuters (46.3%) use buses as their primary mode, which is around 3.6 million people. Subway or elevated rail comes next with 37.7 percent of transit commuters (U.S Census Bureau).
Buses dominate because of their ease of access and comprehensive service across communities. Unlike rail systems that require a vast amount of infrastructure, buses can change routes, respond to demand, and adjust to other community needs.
The Economic Engine of Transit
Public transportation is so much more than a means of getting from point A to point B โ it serves as a potent catalyst for economic growth. Public transportation is a $79 billion industry that provides jobs to more than 430,000 people. The economic impact extends well beyond direct employment, with every $1 invested in public transportation generating $5 in economic returns (APTA).
The impact is considerable:
- $1 billion allocated to public transportation creates and sustains nearly 50,000 jobs
- 10 million in public transportation investment translates to 30 million in business sales
- Home values were up to 24% higher near public transportation than in other areas.
Transit Usage Patterns Across America
According to the American Community Survey (ACS), in 2019, public transport commuters made up roughly 5 percent of all workers in the U.S. While this figure seems low on a national scale, the outcome is quite different in various regions.
The table below shows the various modes of transport and how they serve different American workers:
| Means of Transportation | Number | Percent |
| Total Workers | 156,941,346 | 100.0% |
| Car, truck, or van | 133,054,328 | 84.8% |
| – Drove alone | 119,153,349 | 75.9% |
| – Carpooled | 13,900,979 | 8.9% |
| Public transportation | 7,778,444 | 5.0% |
| – Bus | 3,601,403 | 2.3% |
| – Subway or elevated rail | 2,935,633 | 1.9% |
| – Commuter rail | 921,391 | 0.6% |
| – Light rail/streetcar | 242,776 | 0.2% |
| Worked from home | 8,970,800 | 5.7% |
| Walked | 4,153,050 | 2.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 American Community Survey.
In the Northeast, for instance, 14.3% of workers used the subway to commute to work, while the figure was 2.0% for workers in the South. The trend is even more pronounced in urban areas. 11.5% of workers in the largest cities of US metro areas used the subway to commute.
Safety and Environmental Benefits
Transit services provide the country with major environmental benefits. The public transport system saves the United States an estimated 6 billion gallons of gasoline annually, and for every public transport system that is funded and built, carbon emissions are reduced by 63 million metric tons.
Safety provides another compelling advantage:
- Public transportation is 10 times safer per mile than traveling by car.
- Public transit commuters reduce the chance of being involved in an accident by more than 90% compared to car commuters.
Demographics and Accessibility
Transit serves diverse communities. Women made up a larger share of public transportation commuters, particularly in large urban centers. Workers aged 25 to 29 showed the greatest rates of transit usage. Nevertheless, 45% of the American population does not have access to public transport, which strongly emphasizes the need for expansion.
The Road Ahead for Transit Innovation
In 2019, Americans made 9.9 billion transit trips with 34 million boardings each day. Public transport is seen by millennials as the best way to digitally socialize and connect with the community. Thus, future transit innovations must focus on both mobility and connectivity.
Final thoughts: Your Journey starts here
As the backbone of public transportation, buses continue to improve American communities economically, socially, and sustainably. With millions of Americans relying on these services daily, companies such as OurBus are positioned to satisfy the growing need for efficient, dependable transit services.
Visit ourbus.com to learn how public transportation can enhance your travel, whether you are planning your daily commute or exploring new destinations.
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