U.S. transit outpaces driving. (Environmental Intelligence).For the fourth consecutive year, use of trains and buses in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. grew faster than automobile use, according to the American Public Transportation Association The American Public Transportation Association is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that serves as an advocate for the advancement of public transportation programs and initiatives in the United States since the organization's founding in 1882. . The number of trips taken via public transit increased by 21 percent in the past five years, while growth in driving rates increased by 11 percent. "While it may be too soon to say that Americans' love affair with the automobile is over," said Roy Kienitz of the national transit advocacy group, the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP STPP Surface Transportation Policy Project STPP Sodium Tripolyphosphate STPP Strategic Technology Protection Program (Microsoft) STPP Solar Thermal Power Plant STPP Satellite Transport Protocol Plus ), "another suitor SUITOR. One who is a party to a suit or action in court. One who is a party to an action. In its ancient sense, suitor meant one Who was bound to attend the county court, also, one who formed part of the secta. (q.v.) has clearly entered the picture." In 2000 the number of miles driven by car in the United States stayed fiat for the first time in 20 years, according to the Federal Highway Administration The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two "programs," The Federal-aid Highway Program and the Federal Lands Highway . Meanwhile, transit use grew by 3.5 percent. Ridership has grown for several reasons, including more public support and funding, increased traffic congestion The condition of a network when there is not enough bandwidth to support the current traffic load. congestion - When the offered load of a data communication path exceeds the capacity. on roads, and the construction of better transit systems. Subways and light rail have seen the fastest rates of growth, largely due to new systems in Salt Lake City, Denver, and Dallas, and extensions of existing service in Los Angeles and other metropolitan areas around the country. "There's been a lot of investment of public transportation in recent years, mostly due to increased federal transit spending," said Michelle Garland of STPP. "Also, people are starting to recognize that transit is a great way to avoid congestion, save money, and get where you need to go without getting into a car." The average American family living in a sprawling suburban area spends about $1,300 more per year in transportation costs than a family living in a higher-density city. In 2000, riders took 9.4 billion trips on subways, light and commuter rail, and buses. They also drove 2.7 trillion miles, or about 9,500 miles per person, as cars remained the dominant mode of personal transportation. But transit advocates point out that for the first time since 1974, growth per capita [Latin, By the heads or polls.] A term used in the Descent and Distribution of the estate of one who dies without a will. It means to share and share alike according to the number of individuals. in the number of miles driven actually declined by 3.1 percent. "I think we may be at the beginning of a trend," said Garland. "We may be seeing [miles traveled by car] level off and begin a long decline." |
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