Public transportation benefits all Virginians by reducing traffic congestion and increasing mobility. Without a balanced transportation system, the quality of our life, economy, health, and the environment is threatened. According to the U. S. Department of Transportation, the number of hours per capita that people spend delayed by traffic congestion in 50 metropolitan areas has risen by 95 percent in the last decade. The metro Washington area ranked number two nationally for time spent waiting in traffic. During the same period, the number of trips that people made increased by only 16.9 percent.
Public transportation provides important alternatives to improve transportation efficiency.
While public transit is clearly an advantage to the Virginians who use it, motorists and the Commonwealth in general also benefit. One of the most far-reaching benefits of public transportation is its contribution to local economies. Public transportation systems spur millions of dollars of economic activity through jobs created, sales and purchases, and the economic activity of transit riders. An accessible public transportation system means increased mobility for all citizens. It connects people with jobs, medical facilities, retail establishments, educational institutions, and recreational and tourist sites.