Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal
Editorial: Restore tax incentives for mass transit commuters | NJ.com: "What gives? And why are federal lawmakers sending out the implicit message that it’s better to add to that slow motion-snarl of traffic every morning and evening than climb aboard public transit?
...Remember, the benefit extends far beyond those commuters. Public transportation is a $57 billion industry that employs nearly 400,000 people, according to the American Public Transportation Association. The nonprofit organization has found that every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, while every $1 billion invested in public transportation creates or supports 36,000 jobs. And home values performed 42 percent better when located near high-frequency public transit. Just a single commuter switching to public transit can reduce daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds, or more than 4,800 pounds, in a year."
