APTA: Reduced investment in transit will cut job growth

American Public Transportation Association President William A. Millar made a statement on Tuesday, in response to the cuts made to public transportation and high-speed rail in the FY 2011 continuing resolution:

“The American Public Transportation Association and its 1,500 members have strong concerns about the reductions in public transportation and high-speed rail investment in the FY 2011 continuing resolution.

Singling out the high-speed rail program by eliminating all FY 2011 dollars is simply short-sighted. This is particularly troublesome when 32 states and the District of Columbia are advancing projects with FY 2010 dollars. High-speed and intercity passenger rail investments are catalysts to create jobs and provide the foundation for our nation’s growing economy.

In addition, the reductions in public transportation investment for new projects could not come at a worse time as Americans deal with the rising cost of gasoline. When gas prices rise, taking public transportation is the quickest way to beat high gas prices. Now is the time we should be expanding our investment in public transportation infrastructure, not reducing it.

Furthermore, a lack of investment will make it difficult for our nation to meet the growing demand for transportation services and bring our infrastructure up to a state of good repair. We urge Congress to make investing in our nation’s transportation systems a top priority in their upcoming deliberations for current and future funding proposals.”