Transit Not Traffic In The News

Public transit in Maryland saves consumers $93 million in gasoline costs and cuts global warming pollution by 245 tons -- and for those reasons and others the state needs to pump money into expanded MARC train service and construction of the Red Line.

That's according to a report released Thursday by the Maryland Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), which calls for kickstarting rail and bus projects in the state to get commuters to park and ride.

"This report shows why we need better transit in Maryland," said Johanna Neumann, state director of Maryland PIRG, in a statement. "It puts clear numbers on how public transit reduces oil dependence, traffic congestion, and global warming pollution. Marylanders need better transportation choices; we need to get projects off the drawing board and into action."

The Red Line has been long sought after by local officials and transit advocates as a way to connect Woodlawn to Canton Crossing. Various options are still on the table for the Red Line, including beefed-up bus service in dedicated transit lanes, underground tunnels and light rail. Its ultimate price tag could be anywhere from $500 million to $3 billion.

It is currently in the planning stage, and federal and state funds have not yet been identified for its full construction, Maryland PIRG noted Thursday in a press conference at Penn Station in Baltimore. Proponents say it will generate jobs and economic development.

The Maryland Transit Administration proposed plans last September to expand MARC service. Under the plan, the Penn Line train alone would go from a daily seating capacity of 16,000 today, to 47,000 by 2020. But funding for the expansion has not been approved.

Maryland PIRG cited national public opinion polls showing 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, 75 percent, say transit is the best way to fight traffic congestion.

Transit saves 3.4 billion gallons of oil each year in the U.S., prevents 541 million hours of traffic delay and reduces global warming pollution by 26 million tons, officials said Thursday.