APTA Deeply Disappointed In Senate Transit Security Vote; Praises Senators Shelby, Sarbanes And Reed For Their Leadership

July 15, 2005

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

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"On behalf of the American public transportation industry and the millions of Americans who take transit every day, I am voicing our deep disappointment in the Senate's unsuccessful, although close, bid to increase the funding for needed transit security," said William W. Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). "At a time when transit is a target of terrorist activity, APTA had hoped that the Senate would vote to protect the lives of America's transit riders by adequately funding transit security."

"APTA commends and thanks Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) for their leadership on transit security and for their leadership with an amendment that, if passed, would have funded transit security with a much needed $1.16 billion in federal fiscal year 2006," said Millar. "APTA also extends our sincere thanks to the additional 50 senators who voted for the Shelby-Sarbanes amendment."

"To have 53 senators vote for a significant increase in transit security funding shows a majority of the Senate wanted to move forward. Unfortunately, 60 votes were needed," said Millar. "As this bill moves to conference with the House, we are committed to fighting for additional funding to help make our country's transit riders safer."

People use public transportation thirty two million times a day -- 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.

"Protecting transit riders is a national security issue and national security is the responsibility of the federal government," said Millar. "Passengers on all types of transportation should be appropriately protected.

We are not looking for the same type of security as is found at our nation's airports," said Millar. "We are looking for funding for common sense solutions such as security cameras, intruder detection devices, upgraded radio communications, increased training and drills for employees and first responders and overtime pay when the federal government raises the security alert status."

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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.