“The selection of U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood as President-Elect Barack Obama’s nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation underscores the fact that transportation is a bipartisan issue.  In this critical time for the country, Rep. LaHood will have the opportunity to transform transportation policy and improve the lives of all Americans.

On behalf of the more than 1,500 members of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), I congratulate Rep. LaHood on his nomination.  I pledge the cooperation and commitment of the public transportation industry to advancing the goals of the Obama Administration of economic recovery, energy independence, and reducing climate change through investment in public transportation.

The public transportation industry is primed to move forward with more than 700 infrastructure projects that can be initiated within 90 days of approved federal funds.  Over a period of two years, an estimated $47.8 billion in transit investment projects could be started. These transit projects will create and support 1.3 million green jobs for Americans, while also helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower our nation’s carbon footprint.

Rep. LaHood has been a strong supporter of the CityLink public transportation system in his district, and we look forward to working with him to advance public transit throughout the country.”