Blogging on HuffPo, Greg LeRoy, director of Good Jobs First, makes the case that transit, transit oriented development and smart growth are key factors in job growth.
"I have seen the future of robust job creation in America. It gets to work on public transit," writes Greg LeRoy.
Citing analyses of jobs data captured at recovery.gov, LeRoy points out that "building transit systems created 31 to 84 percent more jobs per $1 billion than did building highways." Investing in improvements to existing infrastructure (ie: Complete Streets) produces more work hours than rolling out new roads and highways and money isn't wasted on procuring land or right of ways.
Transit projects not only spur construction, LeRoy adds, "Transportation spending stimulates private investment upon land made more valuable." The ever popular transit oriented development attracts the creative class, start ups and entrepreneurs, while transit itself provides jobs in the form of bus drivers, train operators and mechanics.
According to LeRoy, no matter which way you look at it, investment in transit creates more jobs than investments in new roads and highways.
Thanks to Jessica Brent
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