Op-Ed: Cities must rethink public transit investment priorities amid national transport issues

It’s no secret America’s public transit systems are falling short compared to those of other countries, and longer wait times and fewer service hours across cities signal that U.S. innovations aren’t up to par.  

Public transit ridership has been increasing nationally, and according to Artemis Technologies’ recent research “The Future of Sustainable Transit Report,” conducted with research firm Censuswide, 40 percent of Americans surveyed said they spend at least an hour on public transit per week. However, despite its ubiquitousness in daily life, almost half (49 percent) would give their city’s public transit a grade C or below.  

With the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics being held in the U.S., America’s public transit shortcomings will be on display and likely result in further congestion for the host cities.  

It’s clear that there’s an immediate need for cities to rethink their investment priorities when it comes to more efficient and sustainable transportation options that not only meet the needs of commuters but also shift this negative public perception.  

The state of public transit systems in the U.S.  

Public transit has continued to be a pain point for citizens due to cities’ unsatisfactory approach to sustainability and poor user experience. As they try to grapple with unhappy commuters and other problems including heavy traffic and insufficient funds, cities across the U.S. are enacting new legislation that are triggering problems of their own instead of making progress. 

In New York City, the goal of congestion pricing is to help fund Metropolitan Transportation Authority repairs and upgrades but has resulted in increased subway and commuter rail overcrowding. Across the coast in California, San Francisco is facing one of the worst financial crises in its history, with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency facing a deficit of nearly $322 million by next year. With attempts to raise taxes and enact bridge tolls failing, the city has had no choice but to begin service cuts, with more coming this summer.  

According to data from Artemis’ report, 64 percent of Americans have experienced a public transportation disruption. In particular, almost half (46 percent) of respondents have been late for work, school or a doctor’s appointment as a result of public transit failures. Instead of normalizing these sore spots for the everyday commuter, it’s time to make taking public transit a more pleasant experience.  

Americans want to see greater sustainability investments 

Along with the rider experience, Artemis’ research underscores that sustainable transportation is an important consideration for consumers, but they’re doubtful about their cities’ ability to meet proposed initiatives. While 69 percent of survey respondents are aware of their city’s sustainability initiatives, 28 percent of them don’t have confidence in their city to achieve these.  

Looking forward, they’re also hoping to see sustainability play a larger role in their cities’ public transit systems. One in five (21 percent) respondents noted that their city cutting down on transportation-related climate impacts is a top initiative they want to see in the near future, and 36 percent said renewable clean energy is one of the key sustainable initiatives they care about.  

It’s heartening to see that citizens truly care about how their transportation options impact the environment, and this provides a larger opportunity for cities to harness this sentiment and translate it into more sustainable public transit innovations.  

The opportunity for waterway transportation 

Waterways are a largely untapped resource for transit within and surrounding major cities across the U.S. and provide an opportunity to address residents’ sustainable public transit desires. In fact, over a third (38 percent) of survey respondents say cleaning up waterways is one of the most important climate initiatives for their city.  

Cities must consider using their funds to not only improve current modes of public transit but also to support the expansion of underutilized modes of transportation like the use of waterways. If a ferry service existed or increased, almost a third (32 percent) of Americans would consider using it if this service ran often and there were shorter wait times between rides. Artemis’ survey shows 43 percent of Americans might be more inclined to use it if it was reasonably priced.  

Not only does waterway transportation offer the opportunity for cities to diversify their transit options and leverage natural waterways, but investing in sustainable marine transportation options can help cities pursue their sustainability goals. Options like hydrofoiling vessels take advantage of local geographic features and ensure accessible and efficient transport while simultaneously minimizing carbon emissions. 

There’s an opportunity for more private sector collaboration with cities to make ferry services, water taxis and other modes of maritime transport a more desirable and modern method of transportation, but those investments need to start now.