Statement by
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President William Millar

“On behalf of the 1,500 member organizations of the American Public Transportation Association, I applaud President Obama for addressing the very important issue of creating American jobs in his State of the Union address.

I am especially pleased that President Obama recognizes that investment in transportation infrastructure is one of the key ways that Americans can get back to work.  Our nation has a backlog of transportation projects that need to be addressed, and passing a jobs bill to employ Americans in infrastructure rebuilding is a solid policy.  In regard to public transportation investment, research shows that for every $1 billion invested in public transportation capital and operations, 36,000 jobs are supported and created. 

I also praise the president for taking the historic step of bringing the vision of high-speed passenger rail to fruition in the United States.  Both public transit and high-speed rail will create hundreds of thousands of long-term, good, “green” American jobs.   We stand ready to build a new industry that will help bring economic prosperity to this great nation.”