Frequently Asked Questions
What is public transportation?
Public transportation includes all vehicle services designed to transport the public on local and regional routes. In Pennsylvania, available public transportation services include bus, rail, streetcar and ferry. Public transit runs on set routes and charges set fares.
What are the benefits of using public transportation?
Public transit offers many benefits over commuting to work alone by car:
- It’s less expensive than driving, saving users an average of about $9,167 annually. See how much you can save using public transportation.
- It’s an immediate way people can help the environment and conserve energy. Learn more about public transportation and the environment.
- It reduces traffic congestion, eliminating hours of delay in heavy traffic areas.
- It’s safer than driving.
See more benefits of using public transportation.
What public transportation services are available in Pennsylvania?
There are a number of public transportation services provided conveniently throughout the state:
- Intercity Passenger Rail: Rail passenger service operated by Amtrak as part of its national passenger rail system. Includes the popular Keystone Line which runs between New York City and Harrisburg by way of Philadelphia. For a complete listing of Amtrak's services, please visit www.amtrak.com.
- Fixed-Route Bus and Rail: Bus and rail service that provides a repetitive, fixed schedule along a specific route with vehicles stopping to pick up and deliver passengers to specific locations.
- Fixed-Route Bus: Bus services that provides a repetitive, fixed schedule along a specific route with vehicles stopping to pick up and deliver passengers to specific locations.
- Intercity Passenger Bus: Passenger bus service that provides a scheduled fixed route that is considered essential links in the regional/statewide network of intercity bus services, but which cannot be financially supported solely from user fares. The following carriers participate in the State Assistance Program:
For a complete listing of services, please visit www.pabus.org.
What public transportation services are available in my area?
Public transportation providers are located in every county of Pennsylvania. To find public transportation routes, schedules and other service information for your area, use the PennDOT Map Search.
How many people use public transportation?
A recent study by the American Public Transportation Association found that public transportation use in the U.S. is at its highest rate in 50 years. In 2008 alone, Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation with more Pennsylvanians using public transportation every day. Following recent track upgrades that increased the train’s top speed ridership on Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor, from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, has grown more than 20 percent. And ridership on SEPTA’s commuter rail system has increased by nearly 8 percent in 2007.
How does public transportation help the environment?
Public transportation helps the environment by reducing the number of cars on the road leading to saving millions of gallons of gasoline each year. This reduces the pollutants that cause smog and global warming and the need for increasing land development for road use. Find more about public transportation’s eco-impact.
Is public transportation safe?
Trips on public transportation result in 200,000 fewer deaths, injuries and accidents than similar trips made by car. The National Safety Council estimates that riding the bus is over 170 times safer than traveling by automobile. View safety tips for riding public transit.
I’ve never used public transportation before. Will I know what to do?
After you try it a few times, you’re likely to find that public transportation is convenient and easy to use (and far less stressful than driving!). If you’re commuting by public transit for the first time, make sure you know your route and schedule beforehand and leave yourself plenty of time. See more tips for first time riders.