North Carolina Public Transportation Association

Public transportation is a vital link for individuals to live, work, shop and enjoy their local communities providing economic benefits to the communities in which they reside.

In urban areas public transit is critical to reduce traffic congestion, maintain air quality and provide access for persons to work. In rural areas public transit is often times a person’s only link to medical, shopping and social activities.

For many in our state’s urban areas, public transit provides access to jobs, education and medical services.

• There are 98 transit systems statewide, including:

  • 89 systems in rural areas;
  • 16 systems in urban areas; and
  • 3 urban regional systems
  

• There are over 2,600 public transportation vehicles operating statewide.
  
  
• Public transportation in NC is a $250M industry employing more than 5,000 people in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
  
  
• In FY 2008, public transportation systems provided 62.6 million rides to North Carolinians.