Public transit sustained 9,200 jobs, contributed $1 billion to Michiganâs economy
The Following was pulled from a section of the Summer-Fall 2010 Rapid Reporter. Rapid Reporters are located on the right side of The Rapid's News page. For every 10 jobs created in the public transit sector, six additional jobs are crea
The Following was pulled from a section of the Summer-Fall 2010 Rapid Reporter. Rapid Reporters are located on the right side of The Rapid's News page
[IMAGE '358' /]For every 10 jobs created in the public transit sector, six additional jobs are created in the rest of the economy, according to a study released by the Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
The study estimates that transit operations sustained about 9,200 jobs and contributed $1 billion in economic output in Michigan in 2008. The study also says that the money passengers save by taking the bus add $264.4 million to the Michigan economy.
Sharon Edgar, administrator of the MDOT Bureau of Passenger Transportation noted, “We learned through this study that when people use public transit instead of a more costly alternative, such as a personal car or taxi, they save money, which in turn can be spent on food, health care, housing and other staples. In 2008, out-of pocket savings totaled $348.8 million for riders in Michigan.”
In addition to the actual transportation service provided to the individual consumer, transit agencies in Michigan delivered $1.46 of economic value for each dollar spent on providing transit services.
