Each day, roughly 6,800 public transit providers across the United States carry millions of people in rural and urban communities to work, school, medical appointments, and grocery stores by bus, ferry, tram, or subway. Investing in expanded and accessible public transportation systems not only makes it possible for people to travel safely and affordably, but also reduces local air pollution, improves land use, and supports millions of jobs.

This Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) briefing will highlight federal programs and research that propel public transit forward in the United States. Panelists will discuss how federal transit investments bolster local economies, with every dollar invested in transit generating $5 in economic returns. They will also explore transit’s central role in connecting people to other forms of transportation, from walking and biking to planes and trains.