Cost of transportation high in Missouri due to lack of transportation options

A recent study by the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) shows that regions like Missouri that have invested little in transportation alternatives are now reaping the rewards in the form of higher transportation costs.

Kansas City is the second highest in the nation (behind only Los Angeles) for the amount of money lost to households due to increasing gasoline costs. So far in 2005, Kansas Citians have lost over $215 million due to increasing gasoline costs.

The effect of higher gas prices is offset in cities with many transportation alternatives. Cities with few or no alternatives end up paying the most when gas prices go up.

According to the report:

Households in regions that have invested in public transportation reap
financial benefits from having affordable transportation options, even as
gasoline prices rise.

Low-income families are unduly impacted by higher transportation costs
since transportation expenditures claim a higher percentage of their family
budgets.

The Missouri Bicycle Federation urges that cities, regions, the state, and the nation work together to promote real transportation choice, including far better accommodation of bicycling and walking.

The full report "Driven to Spend" is available in PDF format.