American Public Transportation Association Reaction To DHS FY 2005 Transit Security Grant Allocations

April 13, 2005

Contacts: Virginia Miller (202) 496-4816 vmiller@apta.com

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"The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is pleased that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chernoff has announced that $135 million is allocated to transit security," said APTA President William W. Millar. "This amount is larger than the previous two years combined."

Congress appropriated $150 million for transportation security in FY 2005 to be split among transit, passenger and freight rail. Out of this total, $130 million was allocated for rail ($108 million) and bus ($22 million). Another $5 million from a separate account was allocated for ferries.

"This is definitely a step in the right direction, however, the public transportation industry needs $6 billion to meet its security needs," says Millar. "In addition, the money needs to go directly to the transit agency without delay."

Under the new appropriations, states have to apply for the new transit security allocations and a state can take up to three percent of the money. This means less money for the transit agencies and means a delay in receiving the money.

Last year APTA surveyed its American transit agencies on transit security needs. The results of the survey showed a total of $6 billion in security needs -- with $5.2 billion in capital needs and $800 million annually for operational security investments.

"Since 9-11, the American public transportation industry has invested over $2 billion in security," said Millar. "In the same time period, the federal government has invested $250 million in transit security. We urge Congress and the Bush Administration to make transit security a priority and to fund it at an appropriate level."

Last Friday, APTA submitted testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee asking for an investment of $2 billion for transit security in the FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. To see this testimony, go to http://www.apta.com/government_affairs/positions/aptatest/testimony050408.cfm.

Each weekday, there are 32 million trips on public transportation -- 16 times more the amount of trips on domestic airlines. From September 11, 2001 through September 30, 2004, the federal government has spent $15 billion on aviation security.

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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.