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COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Nick Kotik |
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March 2009
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP
Some people never take a bus to work or a subway from one side of a city to another, but mass transportation systems affect all of us. Mass transit cuts down on the number of cars on the road, especially during heavy commuter hours when traffic congestion is at its peak; reduces wear and tear on bridges and highways; increases energy independence; and reduces pollution.
That's why I recently joined with state Sen. Wayne Fontana to propose a state tax credit of up to $100 for Pennsylvania taxpayers who regularly use any source of mass transit anywhere in the state. Under the legislation, someone with a monthly bus pass, for example, would be eligible for the credit. Based on past usage, an estimated 298,000 Pennsylvanians would qualify, but countless others would benefit.
By giving an incentive for more people to use mass transit, we could reduce traffic congestion for motorists using our roadways. Traffic congestion can be a direct reflection of increases in gas prices, because more cars on the road means more fill-ups per day at the pump. This is a prime example of mass transit impacting everyone. Without it, there would be thousands more cars on the highway and commutes would be longer.
Pennsylvania has a two-fold transportation system: bridges and highways and mass transit. Pittsburgh has one of the highest numbers of bridges in the U.S. and Pennsylvania has a backlog of bridges and highways that need repair. The more cars and trucks we put on them will only make the situation worse. Public transportation takes some of the strain off our bridges and roads by reducing the amount of traffic that contributes to their wear and tear.
The environmental benefits of mass transit are great. The American Public Transportation Association has conducted studies on how mass transit use decreases pollution and helps reduce our need for foreign oil. If just one person switches from making a solo 20-mile daily commute to using public transportation, his carbon dioxide emissions are trimmed by 4,800 pounds a year. The study also revealed that mass transit use reduces by 300,000 tanks the number of fill-ups cars and trucks need every day. That makes a big impact on our reliance on foreign sources of oil.
Last but not least, using mass transit creates economic benefits, as well. Now more than ever, we're all looking to save money where we can and get the most out of every dollar we spend. The association's report shows that, based on current gas prices and average parking costs, a mass transit rider in Pittsburgh can save about $625 a month by taking public transportation – that's about $7,500 in savings a year.
The savings mass transit provides are significant to say the least. And even though you may not be on that bus or rail car, mass transit is still working for you. So I will continue to work hard for passage of this bill and keep you updated on its progress.
As always, stop by or call my Coraopolis office at 412-264-4260 or my Carnegie office at 412-429-5091 to talk to me or someone on my staff about any state-related issue.