APTA Supports National Transit Security Legislation Introduced Today By House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

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

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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) enthusiastically supports today's proposed legislation "Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention and Response Act of 2004" by the bipartisan leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The proposed House legislation is designed to expand and improve anti-terrorism measures for the nation's public transportation systems and authorizes $3.5 billion over the next three years for public transportation security grants.

"The public transportation industry commends the bipartisan leadership of Chairman Don Young (R-AK) and Ranking Member James L. Oberstar (D-MN) for introducing such a bill that would provide critical long-term funding to protect our nation's millions of transit riders, who take 9.4 billion trips annually" said APTA President William W. Millar.

Safety and security is a top priority of the public transportation industry. From September 11, 2001, through the end of 2003, public transportation systems invested $1.7 billion from their own budgets on security and emergency preparedness programs and technology.

"While today's announcement is an important step to keep public transportation systems safe, we urge that the strategic and forward-looking plan for public transportation security, called for by the 9-11 Commission Report, directly reflect the $6 billion in critical needs identified by APTA earlier this year," said Millar.

The public transportation industry has identified needs of at least $5.2 billion in one-time capital funding to maintain, modernize, and expand transit system security functions to meet increased security demands. Over $800 million annually is also needed to address increased operating costs for security personnel, training, technical support, and research and development have been identified, bringing transit security funding needs to $6 billion.

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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.