The Future of US Public Transit: Navigating the Crisis and Reviving Ridership in a Post-Covid Era

Covid-19Hot Spots
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

The Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a severe blow to mass transit systems in the United States, causing double-digit declines in ridership and posing the biggest crisis for public transit since the rise of the private car a century ago. The decline in ridership has been particularly pronounced among middle-class and affluent office workers, who are now commuting only a few days a week or continuing to work remotely. To revive public transit, experts suggest focusing on improving the safety, reliability, and frequency of bus services, offering fare flexibility, adapting schedules to meet current needs, and pursuing sustainable efficiencies in operations. Congress can play a role by supporting programs for lower-income riders, rethinking infrastructure funding priorities, and providing targeted operating aid in exchange for cost improvements.

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Jennifer Joslyn
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