In a statement by American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President William Millar, he called on President Barack Obama to include public transportation as part of his upcoming State of the Union address:

"On behalf of the millions of Americans who rely on public transportation every day, I call on President Obama to address the urgent need for infrastructure investment, including public transportation, in his State of the Union Address tomorrow. This investment is key to putting our country onto the path of economic recovery and competitiveness.

Since the last federal surface transportation legislation expired nearly 16 months ago, President Obama should work with Congress to pass a new, well-funded, multi-year surface transportation authorization bill this year.

Transportation investments offer long-term benefits that last for many decades. First and foremost, public transportation investment is about jobs. For every $1 billion invested in public transit, 36,000 public and private sector jobs are supported and created. His continued support for investment in high-speed rail is important as it will create a new industry that will add thousands of jobs for American workers. Public transportation investment stimulates the economy in other ways as every $1 dollar invested in public transportation yields $4 in economic returns.

Creating and supporting jobs through transportation infrastructure investments should be a top priority for all our national leaders. The benefits are great both in the short and long term."