Tallinn, Estonia - #freetransit paying big dividends, car traffic down 15%

Chambersburg Public Opinion: "Savisaar has even dubbed the program the "13th monthly salary" since, he claims, families will be able to save a month's salary now that they can get around Tallinn for free.

Deputy Mayor Taavi Aas says the experiment, which will cost the city some 12 million euros ($16 million) annually in lost ticket sales, has surpassed expectations. Passenger numbers are up 10 percent, while the number of cars on city streets has fallen by as much as 15 percent, according to Tallinn's transport authority.

A recent opinion poll commissioned by the city showed that nine out of 10 Tallinn residents are satisfied with the project."

Transit supporters rally for more state funding - phillyburbs.com: The Intelligencer: business_finance, environment, tom corbett, philadelphia, pennsylvania

Transit supporters rally for more state funding - phillyburbs.com: The Intelligencer: business_finance, environment, tom corbett, philadelphia, pennsylvania: "Molly Nichols, a volunteer with Pittsburghers for Public Transit, told about 200 transit operators and customers from her city, Philadelphia, Harrisburg and elsewhere that people have a right to public transit.

“Bus lines and transit lines are our lifelines,” Nichols said in between the chants she led. “We use them to get to school, to work, to the doctor’s office, to churches, to shops … and current transit service is not efficient or affordable for our residents.”"

'via Blog this'

TTI Report Says Public Transit Saved 865 Million Hours of Delay on Our Nation’s Roads

TTI Report Says Public Transit Saved 865 Million Hours of Delay on Our Nation’s Roads: "According to the Texas Transportation Institute, public transit reduced road delays by 865 million hours in 2011, and avoided the consumption of 450 million gallons of fuel."

'via Blog this'

Bicycles mean buy local

Bike Pittsburgh | Bikes and Business Make a Good Tandem: "NYC Department of Transportation and the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium both show that with increased bicycling traffic comes more consumer dollars spent in surrounding locations. By advocating for bike improvements in Pittsburgh, BikePGH is inherently advocating for PGH businesses."

'via Blog this'

West Virginia University students can ride buses fare-free

Editorial - Give public transportation a chance - Opinion - The Daily Athenaeum - West Virginia University: "According to the National Safety Council, riding the bus is 170 times safer than driving your own vehicle. This is explained by the fact that buses are driven by professionals, who are trained to adhere to strict safety guidelines.
Moreover, taking advantage of public transportation is good for the environment. Buses emit 95 percent less carbon monoxide per passenger mile than the average private vehicle. On a large scale, this would make a significant contribution to the greenhouse gas emission reductions needed to mitigate the oncoming global climate crisis."

'via Blog this'

Climate-friendly candidate for governor of PA

About - John Hanger for Governor: "John has spent 28 years growing Pennsylvania’s economy and fighting for working families. A proven leader and nationally-recognized expert on energy, utilities, the green economy and the environment, John Hanger’s life and career have prepared him to lead Pennsylvania and create good jobs. "

'via Blog this'

Now is the time for more transit, not less | Rob Perks's Blog | Switchboard, from NRDC

Now is the time for more transit, not less | Rob Perks's Blog | Switchboard, from NRDC: "Why are states passing up billions of dollars in federal transit funds? That seems crazy but it's true."

'via Blog this'