APTA Urges DHS Secretary Chertoff To Make More Fundng Available For Transit Security

July 13, 2005

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

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"We congratulate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff for continuing to make transportation security a priority in the DHS reorganization which he announced today," said William W. Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). "However, APTA is dismayed that today's announcement did not include support for additional funding to safeguard our citizens who take 32 million trips every weekday on our nation's public transit systems."

"Transit security is a national homeland security issue and the federal government is responsible for our country's national security," said Millar. "America's transit agencies have already spent more than $2 billion for transit security out of their own budgets since 9/11. The federal government needs to take responsibility for a greater share of transit security funding."

In addition, APTA is concerned that the DHS statement that the State Homeland Security and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) has made $8.6 billion available to transit security is misleading. This program funds many priorities, including emergency medical services, police and fire responders and thus pits these first responders against transit agencies for funding. The individual states decide who receives this grant money. Transit providers have received very little money from this program.

"To expedite the flow of needed funds to transit agencies, DHS should directly provide funding to transit agencies as was done in 2003," said Millar. In 2003, DHS Secretary Tom Ridge designated $65 million to 20 transit agencies. This is the only time that DHS has sent money directly to the transit agencies. The 2005 DHS allocations - totaling $135 million (out of a $150 million program) - have not yet even been allocated to the states, let alone given to the transit agencies.

"After the attacks on Madrid and London, we don't need another wake up call," said Millar. "We need to streamline the distribution process and make sure that our nation's transit agencies receive the funding they need to make our public transportation riders and the communities they operate in safer."

APTA, a nonprofit association with more than 1,500 members, is calling for the federal government to allocate $2 billion annually over the next three years in transit security for U.S. public transportation systems. The results of a survey last year of its transit members indicated that $6 billion was needed to address transit security needs.

"The $6 billion needed for transit security is for common-sense solutions to increase security for the millions and millions of Americans who take public transportation every day," said Millar.

The survey indicated a need of $5.2 billion for capital improvements such as:

• Improved, interoperable radio systems;
• Security cameras on board transit vehicles and at transit stations;
• Controlling access to transit facilities and secure areas;
• Automated vehicle locator systems.

The APTA survey also showed a need of $800 million annually for operational activities such as:

• Funding for employee training and security drills;
• Funding for security drills with other first responders (police and fire);
• Funding for overtime pay for drills;
• Funding for extra personnel hours when the national security threat level is raised.

"Public transportation has been a target for terrorists around the world over the past 25 years," said Millar. "After last week's attacks in London, all branches of the federal government need to act quickly to make sure that our American citizens are as safe as possible."

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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.