Policy Research

Why do voters support public transportation? Public choices and private behavior

Michael Manville, Benjamin Cummins

Summary

The article examines the behaviors of people who support proposals to increase spending in public transportation. The study finds a disparity between people who vote in favor of increasing public transportation, and those who have an intention to use it. The article suggests that this brings about a collective action problem because a large portion of the population desires increases in public transportation, but the benefits of increasing public transit will not be claimed if there is not an increase in users. The study further found that about half of people advocating for increases in transport spending had never used public transportation, and that people who are wealthier are more likely to desire increases in transport spending. The article also claims that the common message that increased public transportation will decongest roads is unlikely to be true.

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Policy Implications

This article can be used in the attempt to design or modify transportation policy. The results of the study suggest that funding for public transportation alone will not cause significant increases in users. However, the study brings up the possibility to balance investment in public transportation with increased taxes on other methods of travel such as gasoline for cars. It is also useful to differentiate public financial support for transportation vs. public utilization.