A new Rhode Island Voices survey finds that while most Rhode Islanders rely on cars to get where they need to go, residents across the state see value in strengthening public transportation and want state leaders to make it a higher priority.

Two-thirds of respondents said driving alone is their primary mode of transportation, while 22% usually ride with family, friends or coworkers and 7% primarily use public transportation. Public transit use was higher among people under age 50 and residents of Rhode Island’s core cities—Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, Newport and Woonsocket—which have the state’s highest proportions of children living below the federal poverty level. In these cities, nearly 17% of respondents said their household did not have access to a motor vehicle.

Even among residents who do not currently ride the bus regularly, support for expanded transit was strong: 92% agreed that expanded access to public transportation would benefit everyone, even if they do not personally use it. Nearly three-quarters said increased state investment in public transportation should be a significant or top priority, and 85% said they want the same or a greater share of tax dollars devoted to improving public transportation.

Rhode Island Voices is a project of the RI Life Index, a partnership between Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the Brown University School of Public Health. Rhode Island Voices was created to better understand Rhode Islanders’ lived experiences and perspectives on issues that affect health, well-being and quality of life.

“Transportation plays a vital role in health and well-being," said Carolyn Belisle, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. "When people can reliably get to work, school, medical appointments, grocery stores and the people and activities that matter most to them, they have greater opportunity to thrive. These findings show that Rhode Islanders recognize the shared benefits of a transportation system that works for everyone."

The latest survey focused on transportation, including how Rhode Islanders get around, what factors matter most when choosing transportation, barriers to regular bus use and attitudes toward future public transportation investments.

Among the key findings:

• Being able to reach a destination—and getting there quickly and reliably—are the most important considerations when choosing transportation. More than three-quarters of respondents (78%) identified the ability to get where they need to go as important, followed by speed and reliability (69%). Financial cost was important to nearly half (48.8%) overall, particularly among residents under age 50 (63.5%) and those living in core cities (61%).
• Transportation costs create financial pressure for many households, especially younger residents and those living in core cities. Nearly one in three respondents said they would not be able to afford an increase in transportation costs, rising to more than four in 10 among residents under age 50 and core city residents.
• Convenience and travel time are major barriers to regular bus use. Among respondents who do not primarily use public transportation, 82% said being able to get somewhere more quickly by car is a major reason they do not regularly ride the bus.
• Most residents see few reliable alternatives to their current transportation: 87% agreed that their current mode is the only reliable way to get where they need to go.
• When asked how to reduce traffic congestion, 55% favored making public transportation faster, more frequent and available in more places, compared with 45% who favored building or widening roads.

The survey also found substantial interest in future transit options. About one-quarter of respondents said they would regularly use new public transportation to commute to work or school if it were available, with higher interest among residents under age 50 and those living in core cities. Three in five respondents supported transit service that runs all day and into the night. The options receiving the most support were regular RIPTA buses, small vans, and light-rail trains or streetcars.

“These findings should give state leaders a clear message as they prepare for the next legislative session: Rhode Islanders see public transportation as a public good that benefits everyone, not just those who ride the bus,” said Scott Wolf, executive director of Grow Smart RI. “Residents are also telling us that the current system needs to be faster, more reliable and more convenient. Nearly three-quarters of respondents view increased state investment in public transportation as a top or significant priority. Public transit may finally be poised to take center stage in the debate about how best to expand economic opportunity and quality of life for Rhode Islanders and their communities!”

A total of 721 Rhode Island Voices panel members completed the survey, a 70.6% response rate. Results were weighted to align with the demographic distribution of Rhode Island adults based on age, gender, educational attainment, race and ethnicity, and geography.

To view the survey results in full, visit rilifeindex.org/rivoices.