Op-Ed

Creating Efficient Public Transportation: Policies Senator Cantwell Should be Investing In

By: Olivia Burd

Ms. Burd is a private citizen who is a public transportation expert that is interested in policies to improve the U.S. transportation system

The public transportation system is failing us. United States citizens and the working class individuals, specifically, are struggling to get to locations that are necessary for their everyday lives. The United States public transportation system is not as efficient and effective as it should be. Current head of the U.S. Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Mari Cantwell, has been investing in policies that may aid in creating a better system. Some of the current concerns include inadequate funding, and overall lack of accessibility. Investments need to be made into policies that work to adjust funding and create accessibility in order to improve the aspects of the public transportation system that are failing.

Let’s look at the groups that are most affected by the failing United States public transportation systems. These groups are the working class, those in rural areas, those who don’t work the typical 9-5, those who live in underserved areas, and even those who have a disability. There are more, but it’s impossible to list everyone who may be affected. If you don’t fall into any of these categories, a failing transportation system also affects the climate crisis we are currently experiencing (Hall, 2024). A less than reliable public transportation system means there are more cars on the road which ultimately negatively affects the climate.

Funding and accessibility will allow many of the groups listed above to use public transportation for their everyday needs. Thankfully, Congress has introduced Johnson's Bill which is working to increase the frequency and dependability of public transportation (Hall, 2024). No more waiting for what feels like forever to get a ride into work, no more having to travel to get to a bus or train stop, public transportation could become as convenient as it’s supposed to be. Having a bill that ensures people get to their jobs via public transportation generates trillions of dollars in economic activity (Hall, 2024). Johnson’s Bill is one that our Senator, Mari Cantwell, should be investing in.

Between 2010 and 2019 the U.S. spent nearly 50 billion dollars on new transit lines (Gordon, 2020), but unfortunately, they still are not reaching where they need to. “There have been less than 30 million passenger trips a year” (Gordon, 2020). Cantwell should be investing in policies that enforce the expansion of transit lines into rural and underserved areas, by doing this, that 30 million number will drastically increase making the increase in funding more necessary. The way the transportation system is currently makes it almost necessary for working individuals to drive. As urban areas continue to expand, workers are having to travel further and further. As the distance to get from home to work increases, it becomes more difficult for public transportation systems to grow and spread that quickly (Graham, 2023).

There are several working parts to consider here, a major player being the relationship between low ridership and the lack of investment on public transport. Mari Cantwell should be investing her time and money into bridging the gap between these two concepts. Many would argue that these systems do not need funding because “nobody” uses them, however, people don’t use public transportation because it becomes more of a burden for them. For example, because of the lack of connections in the transportation system “a commute which would take 20 minutes by car takes 60 minutes on public transit” (Graham, 2023). If appropriate funding was given, the transportation systems connections would be able to improve and therefore encourage more ridership. When investing in policies, Cantwell needs to consider convenience for the riders. That is what makes public transportation desirable for many. If riders are unable to see the convenience of public transportation, there will never be the ridership necessary for increased funding.

The information outlined above proves the areas where Senator and current head of the U.S. Senate Transportation Committee, Mari Cantwell, should be investing her time, energy, and money in order to improve the current state of the United States public transportation system. The policies that will increase funding and accessibility of public transport are the policies that will make the most positive impact and stop the system from failing our fellow Americans.

References

Gordon, A. (2020, July 27). Why the US sucks at Building Public Transit. VICE. https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-the-us-sucks-at-building-public-transit/

Graham, C. (2023a). Why doesn’t the U.S. have better public transportation? Sustainable America. https://sustainableamerica.org/blog/why-doesnt-the-us-have-better-public-transportation/

Hall, L. (2024a, February 7). Finally, Congress is getting real about funding transit. The Hill. https://thehill.com/homenews/4454633-finally-congress-is-getting-real-about-funding-transit/