LTE: Public Transit Provides Far More Benefit than Just Transportation

Public transportation goes far beyond simply getting people where they need to go. A recent economic impact study commissioned by the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), in conjunction with Citizens for Modern Transit, revealed the SCCTD contributes $129.5 million to the local economy each year in St. Clair County through its transit services and related activities.

SCCTD — in partnership with Bi-State Development, Southwestern Illinois College and Alternative Transportation Services — provides nearly 3.3 million transit trips on average each year via MetroBus, MetroLink, paratransit and micro-transit services. Transit riders are estimated to spend approximately $17.5 million annually in St. Clair County as a result of their transit-related activities.

SCCTD and Metro Transit’s Illinois operations together support 450 jobs. In recent years, capital investments in the transit system have averaged approximately $34.5 million per year, with most of that driven by the MetroLink expansion project that will extend the light rail system 5.2 miles from the existing Shiloh-Scott Transit Center in Shiloh to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah.

These and other key findings can help riders, non-riders, elected officials and stakeholders better understand the highly quantifiable and positive impacts of transit. Whether you take transit or not, it helps local communities thrive, making it imperative that Illinois continues to prioritize state investment.

Ken Sharkey, Managing Director of St. Clair County Transit District

This LTE is available for viewing on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Editorial Board.