Released in February 2026 by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment Report reveals that for every $1 billion invested in public transportation, another $5 billion in long-term economic value is generated.
The report includes a further breakdown of the value of public transit investment:
Economic Impact
- $5 billion of economic value(GDP) (5-to-1 economic return on investment) including:
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- $1.4 billion in direct spending from construction, manufacturing, and operations
- $3.6 billion in long-term benefits from improved mobility, reduced congestion, and expanded access to jobs and healthcare.
Job Creation
- 41,400 jobs created or sustained across construction, manufacturing, operations, and supplier industries
- $3.1 billion in worker income supported
Taxpayer Returns
- $251 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue
The report was issued in tandem with the APTA’s Board of Directors approval of the APTA Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations which urge Congress and the Administration to build upon current investment for public transit and passenger rail to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth by providing $138 billion for public transit and $130 billion for passenger rail over the next five years.
Read the Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment Report here.