Public Transportation Is Vital For A Cleaner Environment

Contact: Virginia Miller
(202) 496-4816 vmiller@apta.com

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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is calling on Congress to provide $2 billion in the FY 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to improve security for America's millions of transit riders.

In written testimony to the House and Senate Subcommittees on Homeland Security Appropriations, APTA President William W. Millar asked that $1.2 billion be provided for capital security needs and $800 million be provided for security related operating costs.

"We can't wait for another wake up call," said Millar. "The Bush Administration and Congress need to act now to ensure safety for the millions of people who depend on public transportation."

Every year more than 9 1/2 billion trips are taken on public transportation. Every weekday, people board public transportation vehicles 32 million times across the United States. This is 16 times more than the number of people who travel on domestic airlines and 450 times the number of travelers on Amtrak.

Despite the fact that considerably more people travel on public transportation than aviation, the aviation industry has received $11 billion from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for security funding since 9-11, while only $115 million was earmarked for transit agencies from DHS.

"Making sure that America's riders on public transportation are as safe as possible should be a top priority of our federal leaders," said Millar. "The federal government must help the public transportation industry now by funding security initiatives as it does for the aviation industry."

In a recent security survey, APTA members identified $6 billion in unmet transit security needs. This survey indicated $5.2 billion is needed to maintain, modernize and expand transit security capital needs. It also indicated that transit agencies need over $800 million annually for security operation costs.

"Allocating $2 billion into next year's DHS budget is a necessary step forward towards helping America's public transportation providers keep their riders safe," said Millar who noted that the public transit agencies have already spent $1.7 billion on transit security out since 9-11, from customers fares and local tax sources.

"The American people rightfully expect that they can travel to work, school, and any destination on public transit without fearing for their safety and security," said Millar. "Our industry is fully engaged in meeting this responsibility to protect our riders. However, we require the full support of the federal government to effectively address this challenge."

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APTA is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services and products. APTA members serve more than 90 percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada.