Why Does Riding Transit Make Sense?

Be Green

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington State, averaging around 50% for the last several years.

• Seventy percent of cancers caused by airborne pollutants come from diesel exhaust.
• In Washington state, driving accounts for almost 60% of air pollution.
• Each full Link bus can carry 25 – 40 people in the space of 4 moving cars.

Save Time

Work, read, or even nap on bus.

• Biking, walking, or taking transit avoids wasted time finding parking, or being towed.
• Transit buses are one of the safest and most reliable forms of transportation during inclement weather.

Be More Active

One in three Washingtonians doesn’t get enough physical activity.

• Walking and biking are good exercise and good for your health. They burn calories, build muscle tissue, strengthen the cardiovascular system and help control weight.
• People who take transit are more likely to get their 30 minutes of recommended physical activity each day.
• 3.6 million Americans 65 or older stay at home and are less mobile because they lack transportation options.

Save Money

• Transportation is the second largest household expense, only behind housing.
• Households that live further away from transit spend more than 45% of their budget on housing and transportation costs than households that have transit access.
• The percentage of a family’s income that is spent on transportation is highest for the lowest income earners: 8.2% for high-income and 15.7% for low-income.  
• The annual economic impact of car crashes in the US is $277 billion.