“A large majority of Millennials want access to better transit options and the ability to be less reliant on a car, according to a new survey of Millennials in 10 major U.S. cities, released today by The Rockefeller Foundation and Transportation for America. More than half (54 percent) of Millennials surveyed say they would consider moving to another city if it had more and better options for getting around, and 66 percent say that access to high quality transportation is one of the top three criteria they would weight when deciding where to live.
The survey, conducted by Global Strategy Group, examined Millennials’ perceptions and attitudes towards public transportation in 10 major U.S. cities across three ‘tiers’ of transportation systems—”mature” (Chicago, New York City, San Francisco),”growing” (Charlotte, N.C.; Denver, Colo.; Los Angeles; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) and “aspiring” (Indianapolis, Ind.; Nashville, Tenn.; Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fl.). The survey was funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and supported by Transportation for America.
Saving money is a key driver for many Millennials looking for more public transportation options, particularly among low-income respondents:
- A majority of Millennials (70 percent) who currently do not have regular access to a vehicle say they could not afford to live in an area without access to public transportation. Those without access to a vehicle make up 15 percent of the millennial population and are disproportionately lower-income.
- 86 percent of Millennials say that it is important that their city offer a low-cost public transportation system with affordable fares. This is especially true of Millennials who earn less than $30,000 a year (92 percent important).
- Almost two-thirds of Millennials (64 percent) say that the expense of owning a car is a major reason they want be less reliant on one, including 77 percent of Millennials who earn less than $30,000 a year.
The benefits of improved public transit aren’t limited to not wanting to depend on a car to get around. Almost all Millennials (91 percent) also believe that investing in quality public transportation systems creates more jobs and improves the economy.
When asked about transportation options, such as public transportation, car- and bike-sharing services, and pedestrian friendly streets, 80 percent of Millennials say it’s important to have a wide range of options, and over half of Millennials surveyed (54 percent) would consider moving to another city if it offered a wider, better range of options for getting around.
While cities with mature and growing transportation systems are providing a convenient and reliable public transportation system for most Millennials, there is still room for improvement. Only 38 percent of Millennials in aspiring cities rate their city as doing an excellent or good job providing a wide range of transportation options, including public transportation and car- and bike-sharing services. In cities with mature public transportation systems, 75 percent of Millennials rate their city as doing an excellent or good job providing a wide range of transportation options. 84 percent of Millennials in aspiring cities however, would like more public transportation options.”
Source:
Rockefeller Foundation
Speakers:
- Diana Alarcon, Director of Transportation and Mobility, City of Fort Lauderdale
- Bob Poole, Director of Transportation Policy and Searle Freedom Trust Transportation Fellow, Reason Foundation
- Mayor Daniel Stermer, City of Weston
- Jonathan Schwartz, AVP Operations Planning & Real Estate, Broward College