The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) on Monday called for the need of $21 billion to support public transit's capital infrastructure for the period of 2004 to 2008. "For public transit to do its part in maintaining cities as the economic engines of Canada, investment is needed to provide the tools to make urban mobility work," said CUTA President and CEO, Michael Roschlau. The results of CUTA's most recent survey of public transit infrastructure investment needs estimate requirements for conventional transit systems at $21 billion for a five-year period. To keep transit systems operating in a state of good repair $6.9 billion of the total amount is needed. The remaining $14.1 billion is required for expansion needs, allowing transit to keep up with ridership demand and population growth. "CUTA is calling on the federal government to invest 3 cents of the gas tax for dedicated transit funding to meet these needs over the next five years," said Roschlau.