Big Savings of Energy, Time, Money, and CO2 Shown Elsewhere
The
Columbus Streetcar project received a boost today as Ohio PIRG, All
Aboard Ohio and other supporters held an event at 630 N. High St
calling for the approval of financing. Speakers cited a major new
report on oil savings and other benefits from public transportation
across the country. The Ohio PIRG report, A Better Way to Go: Meeting
America’s 21st Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public
Transit examines the challenges faced by America’s transportation
system and the benefits of existing rail and bus projects in Ohio and
the Midwest.
According
to the report, the existing transportation options in Ohio saved 48.7
million dollars in gasoline cost. Around the country transit saves 3.4
billion gallons of oil each year, prevents 541 million hours of traffic
delay and reduces global warming pollution by 26 million tons. Demand
for public transportation is booming nationally, with transit trips far
outpacing the growth of auto miles or population since 1995.
“This report shows why we need the Streetcar Project in Columbus.” said
Morgan Keenan with Ohio PIRG. “It puts clear numbers on how public
transit reduces oil dependence, traffic congestion, and global warming
pollution. Ohioans need better transportation choices; we need to get
this project off the drawing board and into action.”
Can
you imagine streetcars running down High Street? It could happen if the
recommendation of a 42-member citizen’s group gets the go ahead from
City Hall. Mayor Coleman asked the group to take a look at possible
routes, construction costs, economic impact and financing back in 2006.
The group liked the idea so much, they recommended that streetcars run
downtown but also all the way to the Ohio State University campus.
National
public opinion polls show that 53 percent of commuters would prefer to
use more public transportation if it were available near their home and
workplace. An overwhelming majority of the public, seventy-five
percent, tell pollsters that transit is the best way to fight traffic
congestion.
“Moving
ahead with the Streetcar project is a key step toward 21st century
transportation in Ohio,” said Morgan Keenan, Consumer Rights Advocated
with Ohio PIRG. “This report shows that transit can save Ohio energy,
time, and money. With rising gas prices and increasing traffic
projected for the future, we must invest in popular projects like this
to meet our country’s long-term needs.”
