APTA cheers action on transport bill
Written by Douglas John BowenThough conflicting concepts on the future of U.S. ground transportation are part of the process, the American Public Transportation Association is encouraged by action by both houses of Congress to renew federal surface transportation funding, APTA said Tuesday.
In a statement, APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy said, “On behalf of the 1500 members of the American Public Transportation Association, we are pleased that the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the U.S. Senate Banking Committee introduced multi-year bills to address the nation’s public transportation. We support the efforts of both these legislative bodies moving forward because investing in public transit and roads is essential to creating jobs and boosting our economy.
“Our initial analysis of both the House and Senate bills shows that they include positive policy changes that the public transit industry sought. These include improvements in project delivery, innovative financing and public/private sector partnerships.
“Both houses of Congress will need to address the financing required to support the legislation and it is important to the public transit industry that revenues for the Mass Transit Account continue to be dedicated to public transportation investment.
“We are committed to working with both the House of Representatives and the Senate committees to move this legislation forward to create American jobs and ensure that the United States remains economically competitive,” Melaniphy said.
