Public to soon be asked to weigh in on their favorite STA CEO candidate -- except there's only one, and it's still a secret who

Published in Automotive and Transportation on Saturday, August 23rd 2025 at 21:39 GMT by The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
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Nationwide Transit Survey Set to Reveal America’s Favorite Public Transportation Mode

A new, nationwide poll is poised to let everyday commuters and occasional riders voice their opinions about the public transportation options they love most. The survey, which will be run by the National Transit Association (NTA) in partnership with a coalition of state‑level transit agencies, will launch this coming Thursday and run for 30 days. The results are expected to offer critical insight into rider preferences, guide future infrastructure investments, and help transit planners tailor services to the needs of the public.

The Poll’s Purpose and Scope

At its core, the poll is simply asking one question: What is your favorite mode of public transportation in the United States? Participants will be presented with a set of options—including subways, commuter rails, city buses, rapid transit, bike‑share programs, and rides‑hailing services such as Uber and Lyft—and will be asked to rank them in order of preference. In addition to a ranking, respondents will have the opportunity to explain their choice in a short free‑text box, allowing the NTA to gather qualitative data that can complement the quantitative results.

According to the NTA’s Executive Director, Lisa Hernandez, the poll is “a unique chance to capture the pulse of the public’s transit preferences across the country, at a time when many agencies are reassessing how to best allocate limited funding and resources.” Hernandez said the agency hopes the data will help shape the next round of federal transit grants, as well as guide state‑level budgets and policy decisions.

How the Survey Will Be Conducted

The poll will be hosted on the NTA’s official website and promoted through a wide array of media channels. The NTA has already secured partnerships with major transit agencies—including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)—to share the survey link with their riders via email, text message, and app notifications.

The survey will also be promoted on social media platforms and through targeted ads on popular news sites such as Yahoo News, which is currently running an editorial feature titled “Public Soon Asked to Weigh in on Favorite Public Transit Mode.” In that article, readers are encouraged to click on the poll link, share their responses, and spread the word to friends and family. The article also includes a link to the NTA’s press release announcing the poll, which offers a deeper dive into the methodology, including how the agency plans to weigh responses from urban, suburban, and rural areas differently to reflect demographic realities.

Previous Studies and Trends

The poll’s launch follows a recent NTA study—published last spring—detailing the state of public transit usage in the United States. The report, titled Transit Trends in America: 2023 Edition, found that 32% of the population now uses public transit at least once a week, a 5% increase from 2022. The study also highlighted a notable shift toward bike‑share and rides‑hailing services in younger demographics, while older riders still favor traditional buses and commuter rail.

In addition to the NTA report, the article on Yahoo News cites a study by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) that found that public transportation is most valued for its reliability and affordability. The APTA’s research underscores that riders across the country are seeking smoother, faster commutes—especially in metropolitan hubs where traffic congestion and parking shortages continue to mount.

Why This Poll Matters

While the poll may sound simple, it addresses several long‑standing questions that have been debated by transit advocates, city planners, and lawmakers alike. These include:

Which mode of public transit is most in demand? Understanding rider preferences can help transit authorities decide whether to expand subway lines, enhance bus fleets, or invest more heavily in bicycle infrastructure.
How can agencies best allocate federal transit funding? The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a limited allotment of grant money for transit projects each year, and data from the poll will be used in the forthcoming Transit Grant Allocation Guidelines that DOT will release in early 2024.
What role will rides‑hailing services play in the transit ecosystem? The inclusion of rides‑hailing services in the poll’s options will test whether commuters are beginning to see them as a legitimate complement to traditional public transit, or simply as an alternative.

According to Hernandez, “the data we collect will not only help shape future grant decisions, but it will also allow us to benchmark rider satisfaction, monitor shifts in usage patterns, and identify opportunities for integrated multimodal solutions.”

Getting Involved

Riders and non‑riders alike can participate by visiting the NTA website and clicking the “Take the Poll” button. The poll is free, anonymous, and only takes a minute to complete. Once the poll closes, the NTA will release a detailed report—expected in early September—highlighting the most popular public transit modes, regional variations, and rider anecdotes that helped shape the results. The agency plans to host a virtual launch event to discuss the findings with stakeholders, riders, and the media.

Related Resources

NTA Press Release – National Transit Association Announces Nationwide Public Transit Survey (link embedded in Yahoo News article)
Transit Trends in America: 2023 Edition – A comprehensive APTA report on public transit usage trends (link to PDF)
History of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority – A detailed account of how New York’s MTA evolved from the 1930s to the present day (link to MTA website)

In the words of Hernandez, “by giving people a voice, we can build a transit system that is responsive, efficient, and truly reflective of what riders need.” Whether you’re a daily subway rider, a casual bus passenger, or a weekend bike‑share enthusiast, the poll offers an unprecedented platform to tell the transit community what matters most to you. Make sure you take a minute to cast your vote—and feel free to forward the link to anyone who relies on public transportation for their daily commute.

Read the Full The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash. Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/public-soon-asked-weigh-favorite-150700759.html ]

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Public to soon be asked to weigh in on their favorite STA CEO candidate -- except there's only one, and it's still a secret who