Statement by APTA President William W. Millar on the Third Short-Term Extension of the Six-Year Transportation Reauthorization Bill -- Congress Extends TEA 21 Legislation Through June 30

Contacts: Virginia Miller (202) 496-4816 vmiller@apta.com
or Donna Aggazio (202) 496-4884 daggazio@apta.com.

(Download document in Adobe PDF format)

Washington, D.C - "It is regrettable that time has again run out and Congress has again failed to enact comprehensive long-term surface transportation legislation. In the meantime, traffic worsens, millions of Americans still need jobs, and 32 states are unable to meet clean air standards. In many parts of the country, transit systems cannot keep pace with demand for bus and train services. The need for increased investment in public transportation is overdue and overwhelming.

The American Public Transportation Association is again calling on Congress to enact a long-term highway/transit reauthorization bill at a funding level no less than the $318 billion passed by the Senate which includes $56.5 billion for public transportation. This is essential since the U.S. Department of Transportation concluded that $124 billion is needed over the next six years in capital funding alone to maintain and improve America's public transportation systems.

A comprehensive surface transportation bill is an investment in America's economic future. It will strengthen our infrastructure, enhance safety, move goods and people more efficiently, and create jobs in every state and congressional district. America cannot afford another delay."

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APTA is a nonprofit international association of more than 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. Over ninety percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA members.