Industry Summary:

Federal Appropriations:

Transit Systems:

1,308

RURAL

Public Transportation
Systems

945

URBAN

Public Transportation
Systems

4,500+

NONPROFIT

Public Transportation
Systems

Supply Chain:

Over 1000 private sector sites supply the bus transit sector. These companies provide everything from parts, to systems, to entire vehicles.

Bus Supplier Tiers

  • 48% Parts and Materials Inputs
  • 38% Major Supplier
  • 11% Infrastructure*
  • 3% Assembler/OEM

Bus Supplier Sectors

  • 30% Metro Bus
  • 23% Coach
  • 17% Electric bus
  • 15% Shuttle
  • 15% Paratransit

Rail transit systems own track and rights-of-way, stations, administrative buildings, and maintenance facilities.

Rail Supplier Tiers

  • 45% Parts and Materials Inputs
  • 29% Infrastructure*
  • 25% Major Supplier
  • 1% Assembler/OEM

Rail Supplier Sectors

  • 23% Regional/Commuter
  • 21% Light
  • 21% Metro
  • 19% Intercity Passenger
  • 18% Streetcar/Trolley/Tram

* includes Infrastructure, Station Equipment, and Remanufacturing

Member Facilities:

APTA has built strong relationships with key partners to yield positive results for public transportation.With over 1,500 members in 3000+ locations, APTA is the primary advocate in Washington, DC for the public transportation industry. Our organization works directly with Congress, the White House, and Federal Agencies to continue to grow the federal investment in public transportation infrastructure.

APTA members represent more than 90 percent of transit riders in North America.APTA’s policies for federal legislative and regulatory issues are developed by a wide cross-section of our membership and represent the consensus of the transit industry. We proactively engage key policy makers on a wide range of legislative and regulatory matters impacting public transportation and high-speed and intercity rail.

Funding for Public Transit:

Receiving More Investment

Public transportation operations are funded by passenger fares, agency earnings, and assistance from state, local and federal governments.Total inflation-adjusted revenue has increased from $51 billion to nearly $80 billion over the last 20 years.

$51B

2000

$67.7B

2010

$79.1B

2020

Economic Impact:

Economic Impact

Each $1 billion invested in public transit provides a long-term economic impact of $5 billion. That’s 50,000 jobs created and supported per $1 billion invested. APTA members can check local impacts using APTA’s My Economic Impact Tool.

Spending:

  • 28% Operating: Vehicle Operations
  • 20% Capital: Facilities
  • 11% Operating: General Administration
  • 11% Operating: Vehicle Maintenance
  • 10% Operating: Purchased Transportation
  • 8% Capital: Rolling Stock
  • 7% Operating: Non-Vehicle Maintenance
  • 4% Capital: Other

$74.3 BILLION

In 2020, total public transportation expenditures were over $74 billion, with $50 billion on operations and $24 billion on capital investments. Bus received the largest combined capital and operating investment ($28 billion) followed by Heavy Rail ($17 billion). Spending was nearly equal - roadway modes received $37 billion in spending, and rail and ferry modes also received $37 billion.

Ridership:

Transit Ridership

  • 55% Bus, BRT, Trolleybus
  • 30% Heavy Rail
  • 6% Light Rail & Streetcar
  • 4% Commuter & Hybrid Rail
  • 2% Demand Response
  • 2% Other
  • 1% Commuter Bus

Bus modes carried more riders in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Miles Traveled

  • 38% Bus, BRT, Trollybus
  • 28% Heavy Rail
  • 20% Commuter & Hybrid Rail
  • 6% Light Rail & Streetcar
  • 5% Other
  • 4% Demand Response
  • 3% Commuter Bus

Rail modes, with dedicated right of way and faster vehicles, carry transit passengers for more miles.

Data Explorer:

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