Responding to record-high gas prices and the rising use of
public transportation, the House of Representatives today passed HR 6052, the Saving Energy through Public Transportation
Act, by a vote of 322 to 98, which authorizes 1.7 billion dollars to transit
agencies across America
to expand services and reduce fares.
This investment is part of a long-term solution that gives
Americans affordable and convenient alternatives to driving and allows transit
agencies to keep up with drastic increases in ridership brought on by high gas
prices.
“We applaud this legislation for its rare combination of
practicality and vision,” said Maryland PIRG State Director Johanna Neumann.
“The House recognized today that we cannot kick our oil addiction without
driving less, and we cannot drive less without better transportation alternatives.”
According to analysis released this week by Maryland PIRG,
American families are spending close to 100 dollars a week on gasoline. That
spending has increased almost 40 percent in the last five months, and household
spending on transportation is now the second highest expense for the average
family - more than food, clothing, even
healthcare.
Americans have responded to higher gas costs by taking
public transportation at record rates in areas where it is available, and American
drivers traveled fewer miles last year for the first time in almost thirty
years.
Analysis by
Maryland PIRG shows that public transportation created net oil savings of 3.4
billion gallons in 2006. That is enough to fuel almost 6 million cars for an
entire year and saves consumers about $13.6 billion in gasoline at today’s
prices.
“Rising gas prices are getting people out of their cars in
record numbers,” said Neumann. “Investments like this give them a better and
cheaper way to go.”
