The American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 has included $9 billion for public transit and $1.1 billion for Amtrak and high speed rail.  The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and its members stand ready to get to work and create American jobs now.   We congratulate Congress on moving forward quickly on a economic recovery package that includes a significant investment in public transportation and intercity and high speed passenger rail. 

Now more than ever, investment in public transportation is crucial, not just for creating and sustaining American jobs, but for reducing our nation’s carbon footprint and ensuring energy independence.

In the weeks ahead, we are hopeful that President-Elect Barack Obama and Congress  will consider additional investment as the public transportation industry has currently identified 787 public transit projects that are ready to go within 90 days of federal funding.  Totaling $15.9 billion, these transit projects will create and sustain 440,000 American jobs.