Transit Systems Respond To London Terrorist Attacks With Stepped-Up Security Measures; Apta Urges Increased Transit Security Funding

July 7, 2005

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

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"On behalf of our more than 1,500 organization members around the world, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) offers our condolences to the people of Great Britain and to all who have lost loved ones and friends in today's despicable terrorist attacks," said APTA President William W. Millar, who noted that the London Underground is an APTA member.

"Public transportation is one of the safest types of transportation," said Millar who stressed that the U.S. public transportation systems had instituted many security measures before 9/11 and have spent more than $2 billion on security since then.

"There is no priority more important to our nation's public transportation systems than safety and security," said Millar. "Transit systems around the country have stepped up precautionary security measures in light of today's attacks in London, including additional police visibility, undercover security, canine patrols and security sweeps on vehicles and stations."

"Riders are key to transit security," continued Millar. "We are asking everyone to be especially vigilant as they travel and to report any suspicious activity to appropriate officials."

Last year APTA conducted a security survey among its U.S. transit agencies and identified $6 billion in increased transit security needs. In 2004, Americans took more than 9.6 billion trips on public transportation systems.

Since 9/11, the U.S. public transportation industry received only $250 million in federal security funding. In FY 2005, Congress provided $150 million for transit and rail security grants. Last month, the Senate Committee on Appropriations proposed cutting transit and rail security grants to $100 million when it approved the FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Full Senate action is scheduled for next week. Millar noted that last year the Senate unanimously passed a funding authorization measure that would have provided significant investment in transit security over three years. In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported out a similar bill. Neither measure was enacted into law.

"With public transportation once again a terrorist target, I again call on the Senate to step up to the plate next week and dramatically increase funding for our country's transit security needs," said Millar. "I also call on the House and the Bush Administration to do the same and support significantly increased funding. Since 9/11, the federal government's funding of transit security has been woefully inadequate."

In contrast, the aviation industry has received $18.1 billion in the period from 9/11 through May 31, 2005. "The discrepancy in funding between aviation security and public transportation security fails to fairly balance the security needs of the traveling public," continued Millar. "Americans take public transportation 32 million times a day -- 16 times more often than they travel on domestic airlines - and yet, when it comes to security, public transportation riders are treated as second-class citizens by the federal government."

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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.