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Dear Secretary Chertoff:

On behalf of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and its 1,500 member organizations, we urge the Administration to include at least $750 million for transit security grant funding in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 budget proposal for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  This FY 2009 authorization is part of the $3.4 billion Congress authorized for public transportation security assistance that Congress approved and that the President signed into law in August as part of the 9/11 Commission Recommendation legislation (P.L. 110-53), under Section 1406(m), Authorization of Appropriations. 

We also request $600,000 to maintain and operate the Public Transit Information Sharing Analysis Center (ISAC) which is the level authorized under the 9/11 Commission bill under Section 1410(d).  In addition, we request $500,000 for DHS grant funding for development of a transit security standards program.  These are two important national programs that could significantly enhance transit security at the local level. 

Safety and security are an important priority for the public transportation industry.  Transit systems have taken many steps to improve security prior to 9/11, with minimal federal funding.  Since September 11, 2001, public transit agencies in the United States have spent more than $2 billion for security and emergency preparedness and related technology.  Terrorist acts in Mumbai, London and Madrid make clear the need to strengthen security on U.S. public transit systems.  We must act to prevent an occurrence of such terrorist attacks in this country.

While transit agencies have worked diligently to improve the security of their bus and transit rail systems since September 11, 2001, there remain critical unfunded investment needs to secure our systems against acts of terrorism.  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that obtaining sufficient funding was the most significant challenge in meeting this important goal.

We appreciate your support in providing financial resources for the security of our country’s public transportation infrastructure.  We look forward to working with DHS on transit security issues in the coming months.  Please have your staff contact Tom Yedinak of APTA’s Government Affairs Department at (202) 496-4865 or email tyedinak@apta.com if you have any questions about this matter or if we can provide any further information.

Sincerely,

William W. Millar
President

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