Record-breaking transit ridership saved fuel equal to the amount consumed by 200,600 cars in Texas last year

AUSTIN – In 2008, people in Texas saved more than 115 million gallons of gasoline by riding transit in record numbers – the amount consumed by 200,600 cars in Texas. Transportation is responsible for more than two-thirds of our dependence on oil and about one-third of our carbon dioxide pollution, according to the new Environment Texasreport, “Getting On Track: Record Transit Ridership Increases Energy Independence.”

“People are voting with their feet by driving less and taking more public transportation,” said Gerri Witthuhn of Environment Texas.

In Texas, transit ridership increased by more than 2 percent above 2007 levels. People in Texas drove less: 8 million fewer miles driven in 2008 than in the year before, a 4 percent decrease. People drove less due in part to volatile fuel prices and decreased economic activity, and many of these car trips were replaced by public transit. 

“By giving Texans the option of light rail and other transit choices, we will protect family budgets from rising gas prices and protect the air we breathe from dirty pollution. If we want the future infrastructure for our growing population and economy, we need to start planning and investing now,” said State Rep. Mike Villarreal.

Despite the huge potential for transit to reduce oil consumption and pollution, the vast majority of transportation funding is spent on roads.  “Instead of wasting money to build new highways that only increase our dependence on oil, our leaders here in Texas and in Congress should drive more money to transit, rail, and better biking and walking options,” Witthuhn said.

In 2008, increased national transit ridership saved more than 4 billion gallons of gasoline, equal to the amount of fuel nearly 7.2 million cars – almost as many passenger cars as are registered in Florida – consume in one year. 

These figures do not take into account the other benefits of increased transit ridership – benefits that include reduced congestion, fewer hours stuck in traffic, reductions in smog and soot pollution and money saved by households who take transit regularly. 

San Antonio is looking to increase these benefits with its Smart Way San Antonio transportation plan. The plan will examine different city corridors for high capacity transit, and work to get people moving toward the future of San Antonio.  “More transportation options mean less people in cars, reduced air pollution, decreased oil consumption, and an all around improvement in our community,” said Andy Scheidt, of San Antonio VIA Metropolitan Transit. 

In addition to fuel savings, public transportation reduced global warming pollution in Texas by 1 million tons in 2008. The transit system in Laredo, for instance, is not only reducing the number of exhaust emitting vehicles on the road, but greening its public buses as well. Nearly 70 percent of the city’s buses run on compressed natural gas. The buses are “improving the air quality, strengthening the local economy, and enhancing public awareness of alternative fuels,” said Mari Royster, of Laredo Public Transit.

In order to maximize public transportation potential to save energy and reduce pollution, Environment Texas is asking our local, state, and federal leaders to:

• Issue overarching goals for reducing oil dependence and pollution through transportation, which will guide better policy.

• Increase investment in cleaner public transportation, to include transit, high speed rail, and better walking and biking options.

• Level the playing field in terms of funding and approving transit projects relative to road projects. Approval of transit and highway investments should be governed by an equivalent set of rules and matching ratios.

• Increase funding for transit maintenance and day-to-day operations, in addition to improving and expanding capacity. Federal, state and local funds should allow for greater flexibility in funding operations — new buses and trains are useless without drivers to drive them and mechanics to maintain them.

In the near term, Environment Texas is calling on Congress to incorporate the full provisions of CLEAN TEA (the Clean, Low Emissions, Affordable New Transportation Equity Act, S. 575) into the climate bill being debated now in the Senate. CLEAN TEA would direct 10 percent of climate bill allowances to clean transportation efforts that will save oil and reduce emissions.

“We hope Senators Cornyn and Hutchison will support this forward-thinking legislation to save oil and reduce pollution,” said Witthuhn.