FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE, MD (April 22, 2019) – Cost savings and convenience are among the benefits of transit as a commuter option, and the Maryland Department of Transportation's Maryland Transit Administration is touting those and other common-sense attributes during “Take Transit Week,” April 22-26. The celebration is being held in conjunction with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) "Get on Board for Public Transit" campaign, which also highlights the many advantages of public transportation.
"Our goal with 'Take Transit Week' is to point out the many reasons why riding public transportation regularly just makes sense," said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. "Not only does taking transit save money, but with CharmPass mobile ticketing and our Transit app, MDOT MTA is making transit more convenient and dependable than ever to riders."
Recent national studies show taking public transportation saves riders money. According to the APTA, households that use one less car and take public transit instead save an average of $10,160 in annual expenses. The average household spends 16 cents of every dollar on transportation – 93 of that goes to buying, maintaining and operating cars.
Additionally, APTA said that:
- Every $1 invested in public transportation generates $4 in economic returns.
- Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased business sales.
- Home values in areas located near high-frequency public transit performed 42 percent better than other areas.
- Public transportation saves the United States 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually.
- Traveling by public transportation is 10 times safer per mile than traveling by automobile.
- Public transportation provides personal mobility and freedom for people from all walks of life.
CharmPass, the official mobile ticketing app for MDOT MTA, allows consumers to pay for transit services from a smartphone. Riders using CharmPass can also transfer free between Local Bus, Light RailLink and Metro SubwayLink when traveling within a span of 90 minutes. For details, go to mta.maryland.gov/charmpass. The Transit app provides real-time bus arrival information and helps you plan which route to take. Both the CharmPass and Transit apps are free to download at app stores.
MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates a Local Bus and Commuter Bus network, as well as Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, MARC Train service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.
Media Contacts
Brittany Marshall
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 443-970-0424
bmarshall1@mdot.maryland.gov
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
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