Senate Cuts Funding for Public Transportation Security -- APTA Calls This a Step Backward for Millions of Transit Riders

June 20, 2005

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

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Today, American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President William W. Millar called on Congress to restore a cut in public transportation security funds made last week by the Senate Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations. In letters sent to committee members, Millar said the action created a major step backward in protecting the safety of millions of daily public transit riders by severely reducing the transit and rail security grant program Congress initiated just last year.

In FY 2005, Congress provided $150 million for transit and rail security grants. Last week, the Senate Committee on Appropriations reduced the transit and rail security grants to $100 million when it approved the FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill.

"APTA is very concerned about the impact of this $50 million cut, and the consequences it will have for our nation's transit security," said Millar. "This is a step backward in our efforts to ensure the safety and security of all Americans.

"Transit systems and their riders need more federal investment in security, certainly not less," said Millar. "Now is not the time to backtrack on security for millions of Americans. We strongly urge the Senate to restore these cuts when the legislation is considered on the Senate floor," Millar added.

Millar noted that since September 11, 2001, the federal government has spent $18 billion on aviation security, but only $250 million on transit security. Yet, Americans take public transportation 32 million times a day -- 16 times more than they travel on domestic airlines.

Last year APTA identified $6 billion in transit security needs for U.S. public transportation systems. In 2004, Americans took more than 9.6 billion trips on public transportation systems.

"We are committed to working with the Bush Administration, the new DHS leadership, and the 109th Congress to make transit security a top priority in our country's homeland security. We strongly urge the Senate to restore these cuts when the legislation is considered on the Senate floor so that American transit systems can improve security for their customers, employees and the communities they serve," Millar said.

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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.