APTA: A majority of Americans back tax spending on public transit

More than 73 percent of respondents in a recent poll support using tax dollars to create, expand and improve public transportation in their communities, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced yesterday.

Conducted by APTA and the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI), the survey also found that nearly 73 percent of respondents believe Congress should increase the federal funding of public transportation, according to an APTA press release.

MTI conducted 1,503 telephone interviews with individuals across the United States to complete the survey.

Eighty-two percent of survey participants said they agreed that public transportation provides an affordable way to get around, while roughly 80 percent said transit connects people to jobs and fuels economic growth.

"Both of the presidential candidates are talking about the need for infrastructure investment to meet a growing demand from the public," said APTA Chair Valarie McCall. "This poll shows that American voters understand that an investment in public transit is a vital part of our national infrastructure."

In addition, 27 state and local ballot measures calling for greater public transit funding will be on the November ballot, APTA officials said, noting that this "strong public support" for transit could result in those initiatives being approved.