Statement by American Public Transportation Association President William Millar

“APTA applauds the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood for his announcement today at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting that DOT is making important and much needed changes to the New Starts project selection process.  This new policy will rescind budget restrictions issued by the previous administration that focused primarily on “cost effectiveness” (i.e. how much a project shortened commute times in comparison to cost) and now recognizes the wide-range of benefits that public transportation provides.  We are very pleased that the DOT will now give consideration to the multiple benefits of new transit projects such as economic development, environmental impact, and land use improvements.  This is a change that APTA has long championed, and it will allow for a more efficient approval process, so projects can move forward more quickly.

“As a part of our recommendations to Congress and the Administration, APTA advocated that the Federal Transit Administration must consider transit supportive land use and economic development in a way that simplifies the New Starts rating process.   

 “This policy change is a tremendous step forward as we look to create more livable communities in the United States.  We are very pleased the Administration recognizes local public transit systems, which provide over 10 billion trips per year, as an integral part of the solution in reducing our carbon emissions while encouraging local economic development.  We look forward to working with the Administration on this new policy direction.”