We all ride the bus

Chris Briem points to a study that measured the cost of transit cuts in the Philadelphia area, and wonders if a similar study has been done here. From phillyBurbs.com:

If SEPTA's latest budget crisis isn't averted, property values in Bucks will plummet, almost 60,000 jobs in the region will be lost, commuters will pay hundreds of dollars more per year and almost $90 million in tax revenue will vanish, according to a new study.

And that's not even the worst of it. ...

Even commuters who travel by car would face an increase in costs of $38.9 million per year, including longer wait times from increased traffic congestion and an expected jump in parking prices, according to the study. If “Plan B” goes into effect, the average commuter would pay about $275 more per year to park.

It's why I believe that mass transit should be regarded as part of our public infrastructure. If it suffers, we all pay a price.