…[bus] service expansion is sorely needed in the surrounding towns GBT serves such as Stratford, Trumbull, Fairfield, Monroe, and Shelton in order to meet the needs of The Kennedy Center’s clients, low-income job seekers, and employers in these towns. Expansion and enhancement of existing public transit services is vital to the economic health of the towns GBT serves as well as the quality of life for residents in these towns.
Job Creation
GBT FEIP Immediate and Long Term Benefits
in Employment Growth
During the construction phase of this project, more than 250 construction related jobs will be created or sustained. This number includes quality construction positions and does not include ancillary positions created in the surrounding community and throughout the country as materials are manufactured and transported to the construction site.
The project will also lead to long term job creation. Providing the GBT with the capability to expand its services over the next 20 years at a modest (3%) growth rate will create more than an additional 42 jobs for GBT bus drivers and support staff – positions averaging approximately $40,000 each in salary/wages annually in the economically distressed Bridgeport region.
Number and Types of Jobs in Construction
Immediate Job Creation – more than 250 jobs in the construction phase alone including:
- Skilled workers, helpers, foremen
- Common Building Laborers
- Insulation Workers/Pipe Coverers
- Bricklayers
- Bricklayer Helpers
- Carpenters
- Cement Finishers
- Electricians
- Elevator Constructors
- Equipment Operators, Crane, Shovel, Medium Equipment, Light Equipment, Oilers, Master Mechanics
- Glaziers
- Painters
- Ordinary & Structural Steel
- Plumbers
- Rodmen (Reinforcing)
- Roofers, (Composition)
- Roofers, Helpers (Composition)
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Tile Layers
- Tile Layers Helpers
- Truck Drivers, Light & Heavy
- Welders, Structural Steel
- Demolition
Long Term Job Creation
The completion of the FEIP will allow for continued, steady growth in GBT bus services leading to the employment of an additional 42 bus drivers and support staff.
The services provided through the FEIP will lead to more livable, healthier communities throughout the region and will foster the implementation of Transit Oriented Development and other Smart Growth initiatives in the effort to combat sprawl. While “livability” can be more difficult to quantify than some project benefits, the benefits of increased use of bus transportation has been demonstrated. According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA):
Americans living in areas served by public transportation save 646 million hours of travel time and 398 million gallons of fuel annually.
- Without public transportation, congestion costs would be an additional $13.7 billion annually.
- The average American household spends $0.18 of every dollar on transportation - 94% of this goes to buying, maintaining and operating cars, making it the largest expenditure after housing.
- Households near public transportation drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles than households without public transportation.
- Households that use public transportation and one less car save on average, $9,000 annually.
- Communities that invest in public transportation reduce the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.
In addition to contributing these benefits, the FEIP will lead to better access to jobs and improved connections to other modes, including rail and ferry services, significantly improving mobility options for riders throughout the region, including those who are economically disadvantaged, non-drivers, seniors and riders with disabilities.
