Just a few miles away from Hofstra University lies the largest transit system in the United States. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) spearheads the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Metro-North Railroad and the New York City Subway. According to the Census Bureau, 55% of all New York City workers use these and other modes of public transportation daily – including the biggest bus fleet in the nation, also run by the MTA.
This level of public transit usage and efficiency is unmatched in other parts of the U.S. – this needs to change.
Most American cities are car dependent, meaning cars are prioritized when building and planning infrastructure. This design has caused many problems for residents, namely long hours in traffic with few other options. When many cars are being packed onto the road all at once, an increased release of carbon dioxide is sent into the atmosphere.
Arlington, Texas, is a city where the commuter has no options but to drive. The city has zero traditional trains or buses. Arlington is home to Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium, two venues that continuously sellout crowds due to sporting events and concerts. People visiting from Dallas and other parts of Texas to see these events have no choice but to drive there, adding onto the regular traffic Arlington residents must endure. With no public transit or train leading into the city, everyone is crammed onto the road.
Some cities have public transit but lack funding for it. Detroit, Michigan, does have a bus system and three train lines; however, the buses are inadequate due to being a small fleet and having consistently late arrivals.
Only having a few train lines does not work for a city Detroit’s size either. The Detroit People Mover, a free monorail, covers the downtown area but does not provide service to nearby Ford Field or Comerica Park. The Q Line, a free streetcar, only rides from Detroit Station to downtown. An Amtrak line runs through the city as well, but that is it. There is no service to the northeastern parts of the city, Detroit Wayne County Airport or the several suburbs west of the city.
This is because Detroit invests relatively little money into transit. The city ranks among the lowest in the country in spending on public transportation per capita, spending significantly less than other midwestern cities like Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Cleveland. There is not much room for improvement for Detroit buses or expansion of train lines when the city gives out a shoestring budget.
Other cities have robust train systems and funding for it but fall short in reliability. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in Atlanta, Georgia, is one such railroad. It has been operational since 1979, yet only serves three of Atlanta’s 11 counties: Fulton, DeKalb and one stop in Clayton for the airport. Cherokee, Gwinnett and Cobb counties, in particular, are overlooked, yet they are three of the fastest growing places in the region. Those without access to MARTA are forced to travel by road to get to the center of the city or elsewhere.
In a city with the fifth worst traffic in the country, Atlanta residents should be able to rely on MARTA as a faster and more efficient means of transportation, yet a large chunk cannot. Atlanta has planned to expand the railroad for decades, yet nothing concrete has materialized.
American cities deserve better. Public transportation for these cities would reduce carbon emissions significantly, slowing climate change. Slowing traffic rates makes it easier for both drivers and train or bus riders to get around their cities much faster. Arlington, Detroit and Atlanta, and many other car-dependent cities, should invest in transit for a better future.
