The Economic Cost of Failing to Modernize Public Transportation

Failure to invest in public transportation infrastructure modernization, also referred to as State of Good Repair (SGR), over the next six years results in a loss of $340 billion in cumulative business sales from 2017-2023. This translates to a loss of $180 billion in cumulative gross national product (GNP) and a loss of $109 billion in household income. Job loss due to this lack of investment in the upkeep and maintenance of America’s aging infrastructure results in the nation losing 162,000 jobs. These losses are a product of decreases in efficiency and productivity from public transit delays and disruptions. According to case studies, transit systems not in a state of good repair are particularly vulnerable when unanticipated events occur. This can cost a local or regional economy millions of dollars in repairs and lost revenue. Along with the net gains or losses at stake to the U.S. economy, the condition of public transit infrastructure has regional and local implications. The total SGR backlog was estimated to be at $89.9 billion in 2015, and is continuing to grow. In this report, six case studies provide detailed examples of how different agencies are dealing with SGR issues. The agencies are: San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and Chicago Transit Authority.

• Record URL:
  http://www.apta.com/resources/reportsandpublications/Documents/APTA-Economic-Cost-Failing-to-Modernize.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://www.apta.com/resources/reportsandpublications/Documents/Modernization-National-and-Local-Economic-Impact.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://www.apta.com/resources/reportsandpublications/Pages/Modernization.aspx
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract used with permission from American Public Transportation Association. Appendix (1p.) is a separate document at the provided URL.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Transportation Association

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Duncan, Chandler
  • Schroeckenthaler, Kyle
  • Blair, Adam
• Publication Date: 2018-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 56p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Economic analysis; Financing; Infrastructure; Modernization; Public transit; Transit operating agencies
• Identifier Terms: Chicago Transit Authority; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority; San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01672183
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 18 2018 9:47AM