Reports
Periodically, CUTA issues reports and issue papers about issues affecting public transit. Here are our latest.
A major benefit of public transit is providing affordable mobility to people who otherwise may be denied it. For people living with disabilities and many senior citizens, transit is a lifeline to work, study, social interaction, and daily life.
Moving people and goods efficiently is essential to productivity and economic growth. And few things help decongest our cities more than public transit. It’s a proven solution to reducing traffic and lowering the steep costs of congestion.
A national transit framework integrates the urban mobility goals of municipalities, provinces and territories, and the federal government. In recent years, all three levels of government have invested in transit expansion. These reports are about how best to coordinate transit policies, including learnings from other countries.
All three levels of government fund transit, both for capital and operating costs. Even before Covid-19, it was clear traditional funding sources couldn’t deliver the transit Canadians need, and that new and more innovative funding mechanisms would be required. After Covid-19, this is all the more true since traditionally, 52% of transit’s operating costs were covered by the farebox and pandemic-related ridership declines have caused severe revenue shortages.
Whether it’s the walk to the bus stop or combining transit and cycling in one trip, public transit naturally encourages physical activity. And more communities are seeing transit as part of integrated mobility, where it combines with other modes of transport—including walking—for door-to-door service.
Every day, transit operators get millions of people where they need to go. Their top priority is the safety of their passengers, but unfortunately operators are regular targets of intimidation and even violent assaults.
Public transit is key to Canada meeting its emission targets and taking action against climate change. It has the potential to lower emission by more than 14 million tons a year, while also reducing air pollution and fighting urban sprawl.
Canadian transit manufacturers and systems are some of the most innovative in the world. From electric buses to new software and apps, public transit continues to innovate so we can keep Canadians moving more efficiently and cleanly.