contact: Donna Aggazio
(202) 496-4884
daggazio@apta.com
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 29, 2003 -- We were pleased
that President Bush highlighted the importance of creating jobs and growing
the economy in his State of the Union speech. We are disappointed, however,
that he did not mention investing in surface transportation as one of
his initiatives to stimulate our economy. The President's support for
increased investment in public transportation needs to be a national priority
if America hopes to jumpstart the economy.
Public transportation is a vital element of our economic
strength. It generates $6 or more in economic activity for every dollar
invested, creates tens of thousands of jobs, and revitalizes communities
across the country.
In regards to energy independence, increasing investment
and use in public transportation is another vehicle to reduce our dependence
on foreign oil and make our air significantly cleaner. For every passenger
mile traveled, public transportation uses one half of the fuel consumed
by cars.
We urge the President to increase transportation funding,
especially for public transportation, in his proposed FY 2004 Budget and
to make expansion of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(TEA 21) one of the top goals for his Administration.
APTA is a nonprofit international association of 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. APTA members serve more than 90 percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada.
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