The new economic modeling study provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation shows that for every 10 jobs created in the public transit sector, six additional jobs are created in the rest of the economy.This study is being used in Grand Rapids as a component of the 20-year improvement plan that will bring streetcars, speedy high-tech buses and routes that run more often until midnight and on Sundays.
Not only is public transportation essential for those who work low-wage jobs, but it has been increasingly desirable by younger populations who want to live and work in urban environments. Other key points from the study include:
- Statewide, money that people saved by taking the bus added $264.4 million to Michigan's economy. In Grand Rapids, the $31 million that The Rapid spends to operate its systems creates $43 million in "social benefits" because riders spent their savings on other things. That includes $17 million in work-related spending, $3.8 million in health-care-related spending, $8 million in retail-related spending, and $9.9 million in education-related spending.
- Statewide, transit operations sustained 9,200 jobs in 2009 and contributed $1 billion to the economy.
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