American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Statement On President Bush's Proposed FY 2006 DHS Budget

Transit mentioned in DHS budget for first time; needs far exceed budget proposal

Contacts: Virginia Miller (202) 496-4816 vmiller@apta.com
or Donna Aggazio (202) 496-4884 daggazio@apta.com.

(Download document in Adobe PDF format)

APTA is pleased, that for the first time ever, President Bush's proposed FY 2006 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget establishes a security infrastructure program that includes public transportation.

This new program, called the Targeted Infrastructure Protection program, would provide $600 million in federal grants for the protection of critical infrastructures including: public transportation, seaports, railways, and energy facilities.

However, we are disappointed that the amount of funding available in this new program is far below the identified security needs for these critical infrastructures. For public transportation alone, APTA has identified in excess of $6 billion in security needs.

Additionally, we are disappointed that a specific line item for transit security was not provided in this program's budget, which is to be used for several different industries. Consequently, we are concerned about the uncertainty of DHS transit security funding.

We are committed to working with the Bush Administration, the new DHS leadership, and the 109th Congress to provide adequate funding for our nation's transit security. We will encourage the Bush Administration and 109th Congress to make this a top priority in our country's homeland security.

With 9.6 billion trips a year on America's public transportation systems, transit security is a very important issue for America's transit riders. Every day Americans take public transportation 32 million times a day -- 16 times more than ride domestic airlines.

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APTA is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions, and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services and products. Over ninety percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA members.