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Hello trolley! Light rail is a public transit star

Released: 
September 08, 2012

Light rail is the fastest growing form of public transit, with 16 of the country’s systems added since 2000.

Trams and trolleys are in again. Light rail is now the fastest growing form of public transit. 16 of the country’s 36 light rail systems have debuted since 2000. Light rail now provides 4.7% of all public transit trips – still behind buses and subway trains (86%), but way off its historic low share of 1.4% back in 1977.

Today’s photo gallery shows how much more federal money is going to support light rail systems. Check it out, then browse “What Do Others Say?” for views on who ought to pay for mass transit. Add your voice to the discussion below, too. Is transit a worthy federal investment?