Poll: Americans want TEA-21 enacted now

More than nine in 10 Americans believe that Congress should pass a transportation bill "right now" to ease traffic congestion and create millions of new jobs, according to an American Public Transportation Association (APTA) survey. The survey, conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide for APTA, found that 92% of respondents believe it is important for Congress to take immediate action to enact major transportation legislation that will produce a variety of economic and social benefits for all Americans. Four in five (80%) agree that increased investment in public transportation would strengthen the economy, create jobs, and reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and energy consumption. More than 76% support increasing public funding to expand and improve public transportation services to achieve these goals. Results of the study were released Monday at APTA's annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., where more than 800 local transit officials gathered to urge Congress to reauthorize and expand TEA-21. A full listing of poll results can be found at www.apta.com