APTA Urges National Leaders To Work Now Toward New Ways Of Funding America's Transit Systems And Highways

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

(Download In Adobe PDF Format)

Today the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - National Chamber Foundation released a report, "The Future of Highway and Public Transportation Financing," that concludes there is a looming crisis in funding our nation's transit and highway systems.

"It is time for our national leaders to begin the dialogue needed to ensure that our surface transportation system will be able to meet the travel needs of the American public in the years to come," said American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President William W. Millar. "I congratulate the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for taking the initiative to review the financing of America's surface transportation program. This report contains bold ideas that need to be considered."

"Having a strong transportation system is not only important for personal mobility, it's important for our country's economic well being and prosperity," said Millar. "Our nation's transportation system is the backbone of our economy and as such, it should be an economic priority to adequately fund our national's transit and highway systems."

"The American people deserve a world class transportation system, but the current funding for our nation's surface transportation system is not enough to maintain it, let alone expand it to meet growing demand," continued Millar. "We cannot continue relying on this system for the future. It is imperative that we begin now to seek new, innovative solutions to make sure that America's transportation systems are well-funded."

* * *

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.