Mass Transportation: A National Commitment

The United States is fast approaching a crisis in urban mobility. The major streets and freeways that provide for the movement of people and goods throughout the major urban areas are becoming so congested that urban life style is deteriorating. This congestion combined with our fuel crisis and clean air requirements are mandating a need for concerted effort to improve urban public transportation. This paper emphasizes the need for a national commitment to public transportation and the need for legislative action to provide the stable long-term funding. It is estimated that a $77 billion commitment could provide the systems and rolling stock for public transit to attract upwards of 38 billion trips by 1990. The three basic modes of ground transportation-rail transit, bus, and automated personal rapid transit-are discussed and their relative role and funding needs advanced. On a national basis, when weighed against other national commitments such as our interstate highway system and space exploration, the $77 billion funding commitment estimated between now and 1990 is bold but achievable.