Chronically underfunded rural public transit systems are key lifelines are economic engines for rural communities.
A study of rural transit in Illinois reveals that every dollar the state invests in public transit in rural areas returns close to $4 in economic value through improved health outcomes, increased workforce participation, reduced strain on social services, and other economic activity.
According to an article in UIC Today, the study from the Urban Transportation Center at the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs quantified the benefits of rural transit to understand how transit investments in small communities impact residents.
Lead researcher P.S. Sriraj says the study can give transit agencies a framework for demonstrating why rural transit is important. “If an agency can show that every dollar invested yields significant returns, it strengthens their case when articulating their needs to decision makers.”
Read the full story: Rural public transit yields nearly $4 for every dollar spent, study estimates
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