Letter to Pete V. Domenici

January 29, 2001

The Honorable Pete V. Domenici
Chairman
Committee on the Budget
SD-621 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6100

Dear Chairman Domenici:

On behalf of the 1,300 member organizations of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), I write to express our desire to work with you as the committee develops a budget resolution for FY 2002. We urge the committee to fund surface transportation programs at no less than the levels guaranteed under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA 21).

Public transportation ridership has grown steadily in recent years, marked by more than 9 billion passenger trips in 1999, the highest level in 40 years. This success illustrates how federal investment in a balanced transportation system pays off. It is important, therefore, that the Committee on the Budget support the $6.74 billion "guaranteed" for the federal transit program by TEA 21. In fact, the $7.7 billion authorized by TEA 21 for Fiscal Year 2002 would allow transit operators to better address unmet capital needs in an era of flourishing ridership.

An effective transportation infrastructure is the underpinning of a healthy economy, facilitating the movement of goods and people, and making our communities more livable. Federal spending on transit capital also benefits the many businesses that produce goods and services for transit operators. Public transportation is a key component of an efficient, integrated transportation system that meets the needs of every community. As the demand for public transportation service grows, we must continue to maintain and improve the existing system. We hope that the Committee on the Budget will consider the many national benefits of transit in the upcoming budgeting process.

If you have additional questions about the federal transit program or would like to discuss these matters in greater detail, please have your staff contact Rob Healy of APTA’s Government Affairs Staff at (202) 496-4811, or rhealy@apta.com. We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely yours,

William W. Millar
President

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