Statement by Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO

Washington, D.C. – “The Administration’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget request is a missed opportunity to increase investment in improving and expanding public transportation at a time when there is strong bipartisan support and a critical need for modernizing America’s infrastructure.

“The Administration proposes $12.4 billion for public transit programs, a decrease of $998 million from the FY19 enacted level of $13.4 billion. This reduction is attributable to the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program, which is $500 million more than last year’s budget proposal and provides funding for new CIG projects. This CIG proposal is $1 billion less than what was appropriated in Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 by overwhelmingly bipartisan votes in the Senate and House of Representatives.

“The American Public Transportation Association is committed to working with the Administration and Congress to approve a FY2020 budget that increases investment for public transportation capital improvement projects. According to the US DOT, there is a $90 billion backlog in state of good repair projects for public transportation. Americans across the country deserve a public transit network that is safe, reliable, and meets the demands of a 21st century economy. Public transportation is the lifeline for millions of Americans of all ages and incomes in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

“America’s public transit systems deliver more than 10 billion trips a year, connecting people to what they need, want, and aspire to achieve. Public transportation strengthens communities, spurs economic growth, reduces congestion, improves air quality, saves time and money, and advances a better quality of life.”

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