Statement on U.S. Senate Activity on H.R. 3 by American Public Transportation Association President William W. Millar

May 11 , 2005

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

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TThe American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and its more than 1,500 members are pleased that the U.S. Senate is moving forward this week on critical surface transportation legislation (H.R. 3).

We strongly support the increased funding for transit and highway investment in the pending Inhofe substitute amendment and are working with our coalition partners in support of its passage.

APTA calls on the Senate to pass the full bill as soon as possible. Congestion is robbing Americans of valuable time. Just this week, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) released its annual congestion report which found that the average annual delay per traveler has climbed from 16 hours in 1982 to 47 hours in 2003.

The TTI study showed that public transportation was important to alleviate congestion. In 2003, public transportation saved peak period commuters on our roads 1.1 billion hours in travel time. Without public transportation, travel delays would have increased by 27 percent to 60 hours per traveler.

This bill will create good-paying American jobs and give the economy a well-needed boost. With the construction season now upon us, we don't need anymore delays.

The current TEA 21 legislation has been extended six times and expires May 31. The time for action is now! Let's keep America moving and pass H.R. 3 in the Senate.

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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.