APTA Congratulates The Hudson Institute For Ground Breaking Book 2010 And Beyond: A Vision of America's Transportation Future

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

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I congratulate the Hudson Institute on this ground breaking book that will serve as a catalyst to discuss our country's transportation vision, including the importance of a federal government role," said William W. Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). "This new book, 2010 and Beyond: A Vision of America's Transportation Future, authored by the prominent think tank, the Hudson Institute, is a comprehensive look at our nation's transportation system that challenges us to move to the next step of transportation evolution."

"With last week's passage of a new transportation reauthorization bill by Congress, it is time to look to the future and envision a world class, integrated transportation system for the 21st century," said Millar. "This report is the first document to offer a specific vision for the next federal transportation bill. It is noteworthy that a leading organization such as the Hudson Institute has recognized transportation as a key strategic issue that will require focus from all heads of government and the private sector in the immediate horizon."

Noting that one of the premises of this new book is the need to have an integrated, unified transportation system, Millar said, "The view that each mode should be treated separately and funded separately belongs in the past, not in the future. We need to have a unified and balanced transportation system that addresses the challenges and funding for all transportation modes."

"We need to work in an integrated manner to help all people and products get to their destinations," said Millar. "This is difficult to achieve with our current balkanization of transportation modes which too often leads to each mode designing and financing independently of each other."

"Now, at the beginning of a new century, it is time to begin a public dialogue about the importance of transportation to our country's prosperity and to examine how we can fund the necessary improvements to make sure that our country has the best transportation system in the world," said Millar. "It is time to move forward and APTA will be at the forefront of this national discussion."

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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.