A recent report released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) examined the public transit industry’s potential in the United States.
The report, Mobility Innovation: The Case for Federal Investment and Support, comprises six case studies of transit agencies that developed a new service model to address a community need. Needs included wheelchair access, service during off-peak late-night hours, and people living in areas that are currently underserved by transit.
The solutions illustrate how transportation services can be more equitable and inclusive, APTA said.
“U.S. transit agencies are readily experimenting with their traditional service models—finding approaches to offer services in new ways or offer entirely new services,” APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said at a virtual press conference on the report. “As Congress considers infrastructure investment in upcoming legislation, finding the means to nurture and support transit’s creative capacity is critical to the continued development of these essential services.”
Transit industry and civic leaders joined the press conference, including representatives from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Greater Dayton RTA, Flint MTA, RTC Wahoe County, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, and Johnson County, Kansas.
APTA is a nonprofit organization of 1,500 public- and private-sector organizations.