Support for Transit

"Keep gathering more and more people like you have today and continue to work for increased public transportation," were the words of Congressman Vern Ehlers at the Annual Kent County Legislative Lunch on Transit on February 22, 2010. Communities that have supported public transportation systems are known to have increased property values, economic activity in areas served and overall quality of life by providing accessible, reliable transportation to workers, young people, seniors, and the disabled. With a quality transit system in place, sustainable development will continue, and Kent County can be a model example for the rest of Michigan to show how urban and rural communities can complement each other and improve the local economy and quality of life.

The Many Benefits of Public Transit

Quality public transportation offers far more than just a way to get around. Public transportation:

Provides the Infrastructure for a New Economy

Cities and metropolitan areas are often judged by the quality of their public transportation. As transit opens up opportunities for all, real savings will be utilized in all areas of local, state and federal budgets. Better public transportation has been proven to increase property values, economic activity in areas served, and overall quality of life by providing accessible, reliable transportation to workers, young people, seniors, and the disabled. It's time to put Kent County at the top of that list.

Keeps Kent County Moving

Imagine taking the bus or a light rail vehicle to a doctor's appointment, school, the symphony, or an arena event. With the expense and limits of downtown parking increasing, we need more frequent and accessible transit system to maximize the economic and community-advancing potential of events like the ArtPrize competition. With quality transit options, the opportunities are limitless.

Drives Business Forward

According to the Department of Transportation, 1 in 3 citizens do not have a driver's license. Public transportation is critical in bringing employees to work each day and customers to businesses to spend their money. The most recent survey of Rapid ridership showed that the vast majority of riders are either going to work or school, that is, preparing for a life of work. Public transportation is critical in bringing consumers to businesses, and allows business to access a broader, more diverse labor market.

Grows the Community

Our metropolitan area is committed to not repeating the mistakes of urban sprawl as experienced elsewhere. Transit improves mobility for the 25% of the population who are unable to drive, allowing them more independence and less reliance on others for their everyday transportation needs. With a quality transit system in place, sustainable development will continue, and Kent County can be a model example for the rest of Michigan to show how urban and rural communities can complement each other and improve the local economy and quality of life.

Makes Smart Use of Tax Dollars, Ensuring a Return on Investment for Taxpayers

Currently, Michigan is considered a "donor" state: for every dollar we pay to the federal government for transportation, we get less than a dollar back for transportation infrastructure improvements. The large portions of what would be returned are funding initiatives in surrounding states instead of communities in Michigan. Using the Return on Investment (ROI) formula, it is found that for every $1 a community invests in transit, $5 is returned to the community. We need to keep more of our tax dollars here, to help rebuild Michigan's economy.

Reduces Congestion

The Michigan Department of Transportation estimates that the average monthly cost for a typical car owner is $266 (based on fuel and parking costs, gas mileage, and average commuting statistics). Compare that to an average cost of $40/month for using public transportation. Finally, factor in the stress related to navigating rush hour and congestion and the equation becomes: Better public transportation and other non-motorized options = fewer cars on the road which is good for everyone, whether you use public transportation or not.

Steers Us Into the Future

When technology allows people to work anywhere on the planet, why choose Kent County? Transit helps answer that question affirmatively by supporting the development of sustainable, walkable communities. College graduates and young professionals are attracted to cities with useable levels of public transportation. As transit opens up opportunities for all, real savings will be utilized in all areas of local, state, and federal budgets. Better public transportation has been proven to increase property values, economic activity in areas served, and overall quality of life by providing accessible, reliable transportation to workers, young people, seniors, and the disabled. Expanding our systems in West Michigan will help keep our young talent here to build the future.

For more information on the benefits of Public Transportation and for links to many transit information resources click here to be taken to Transportation Riders United website