Current Campaigns

More And Better Transit

Public transportation, such as light rail and rapid bus systems, is the wave of the future. Traffic congestion results in billions of additional hours each year wasted behind the wheel and is one reason that Americans consumed almost 180 billion gallons of motor fuel in 2005. Transit reduces traffic congestion by taking hundreds of cars off the road and plays a critical role in decreasing America’s oil dependence, global warming pollution, and sprawl. Read more.

Stop Bad Road Privatization

America’s roadways must be operated for the long-term public interest. Elected officials in Indiana and Chicago recently sold off public roads to private toll-road companies. The private investors in these deals are expected to reap enormous profits from the rising tolls that they will collect for themselves over coming generations, while the public will lose the long-term toll revenues and its control over transportation planning. As states consider these privatization deals, U.S. PIRG is pressing for public officials to protect the public interest. Read more.

Overview

Our current transportation system has many of us stuck endlessly waiting in traffic, all the while spewing air pollution and consuming billions of barrels of overseas oil.

But our government spends nine times more on highway projects than it does on public transportation, even as transit ridership nationwide is at an all-time high.

Light rail, clean bus systems, and other public transit should play a greater part in America’s transportation future. Efficient public transportation systems reduce the number of cars on the road and increase our options for getting around.

We’re working for more and better transit by encouraging public support for new projects and improved service and asking Congress to invest in solving long-term transportation problems by funding public transportation.