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E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y <br />This additional household spending has significant implications <br />for the economic development potential of any community <br />where such workers choose to live. However, Indiana <br />workers currently have only a single public transportation <br />connection to Chicago (the South Shore) compared to their <br />Illinois counterparts who can choose among 11 Metra rail <br />lines and seven Chicago Transit Authority lines all feeding the <br />downtown area. Beyond being limited to a single commuter <br />route, only a fraction of Northwest Indiana communities are <br />served by a station compared to the overwhelming majority <br />of communities being served by Metra in Illinois. If Northwest <br />Indiana could connect more of its communities - which have an <br />advantage over Illinois of attracting young families and workers <br />with comparatively lower costs of living - then, this part of <br />the state could see substantial increases of local economic <br />development. <br />FISCAL <br />The West Lake Extension project and programs of South Shore <br />Line capital improvements combined are projected to add <br />1,984 jobs to the Northwest Indiana economy. Efficiencies <br />are projected to generate $2.S billion in economic output and <br />$1.3 billion in gross regional product. These numbers do not <br />reflect potential secondary economic benefits that may result <br />from spending generated from new local jobs as well as other <br />positive economic multipliers that have a continuous effect on <br />the local economy. <br />PERSONAL COSTS AND BENEFITS <br />As gas prices increase, transportation costs to commuters <br />are compounded by the number of miles they drive. Since <br />an average household's total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is <br />largely controlled by work trips, the demand for alternative <br />modes of transportation such as public transit increases with <br />the cost of fuel. This increase in demand is also partly due <br />to the fact that transit fares typically stay relatively flat when <br />adjusted for inflation compared with fuel prices, resulting in <br />personal cost savings. <br />Another enticing draw to taking transit is that rail commuters <br />have the freedom to pursue other tasks that increase personal <br />productivity and enhance quality of life. Transit riders can <br />read, work, use electronic devices, and conduct other tasks <br />that are off - limits for motorists. <br />URS I BAUERLATOZA • BRONNER GROUP • CAMBRIDGE SYSTEMATICS • GWG • POLICY ANALYTICS • RSG • UIC I page 17 <br />