American Public Transportation Association Response To Comments Made By Department Of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff

July 14, 2005

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

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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) condemns the remarks on public transportation made by Department Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in a story by the Associated Press.

TheTo say that a terrorist attack on a subway is less important than an attack using a commercial airline, is another example of how the federal government treats the millions of public transportation riders as second class citizens when it comes to security.

TheThirty two million times a day people use public transportation. That is sixteen times more than use domestic airlines. However, in the period from September 11, 2001 through May 31, 2005, aviation has received $18.1 billion for security from the federal government while public transportation has only been allocated $250 million.

TheTransit security is a national security issue and our national leaders, including DHS Secretary Chertoff should make a commitment to protect all American citizens to the fullest extent and in the most appropriate way possible.

TheAccording to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), one-third of all the terrorist attacks around the world have occurred on public transportation and catastrophic attacks on public transportation have already occurred. An example of a catastrophic attack on transit occurred on the Tokyo subway system in 1995 when the deadly poisonous gas Sarin was unleashed, resulting in 6,000 casualties, including 12 deaths.

TheOn behalf of the millions of people who depend on and use public transportation every day, the American Public Transportation Association calls on the DHS Secretary Chertoff and the Bush Administration to make transit security a higher priority.

ThePaying to protect American citizens, including transit riders, from terrorist attacks is the responsibility of the federal government. Local governments, with their extremely limited tax base, cannot cover the costs. To purposely not adequately fund public transportation is not a responsible position for our federal leaders to take.

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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.