“Last night, President Obama spoke to America about the many serious challenges facing our nation and the actions our country must take to get America moving again, including expanding mass transit. The members of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) stand with President Obama to address these challenges together.

Public transportation plays a key role in helping America meet its many challenges, whether it’s reducing our dependence on foreign oil, protecting the environment, or most importantly, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

• For every $1 invested in public transportation, $6 is generated in economic returns.
• Each $1 billion invested in federally aided public transportation capital projects supports 30,000 jobs.
• Public transportation saves Americans 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day, which adds up to 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually.
• Public transportation saves 37 million metric tons of CO2 annually. That’s the amount emitted from the electricity production needed every year to power every household in DC, NYC, LA, Denver and Atlanta combined.

As President Obama said last night, “What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more.” Public transportation plays a significant role in the solutions to those challenges facing our nation. Today, we stand ready to help renew America’s promise and prosperity, for ourselves and for generations to come.”