What does public transportation mean to West Michigan?
What does public transportation mean to West Michigan? It means jobs that are contributing to our regional economy. It means opportunities to save, the freedom to travel, the choice to make a better community.
In 2009 there were over 10.2 billion rides on public transportation in the United States. In the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, over 9.3 million rides occurred.
Public transportation is a 48.4 billion dollar industry, employing more than 380,000 people. In West Michigan, American Seating and its manufacturing partners from across the region, build passenger seating for city service bus, rail, motor coach, and demand response vehicles.
"I think that there is a benefit in the future for the growth of the mass transit. The indications are that the energy is not going to get any less expensive so more people are going to be utilizing mass transit to get to and from work and to get to and from shopping. I think it bodes well for the future of our region in terms of attracting manufacturing as well as the service types of industries." - Ed Clark (Chairman & CEO of American Seating)
"Nationally about 14% of the jobs are in manufacturing. In West Michigan about 22% of the jobs are in manufacturing. Manufacturing in Michigan is still the number one key to gross domestic product here. It is key to keeping out young people engaged in the community as well as going to school and coming back to the community for economic growth of the future. So we need to have The Rapid continue to do things and we need American Seating to continue to do things and we want to be there to support them along the way." - Mark Lindquist (President of Rapid-Line)
Public Transportation:
- Plays a key role in the economic and social fabric of a community
- Creates jobs
- Gives people cost effect way to get around freeing up money for food, healthcare, education, or housing
- Offers a reliable way to get to work, school, healthcare services, shopping, and entertainment venues
- Provides freedom and independence for seniors and people with disabilities
- Gives people a smart choice for preserving our natural resources and reducing air pollution
Watch the video to learn more about the benefits of public transportation.
[YOUTUBE '47' /]
