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American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Calls on the Senate to Fund Transit Security With Needed Billions of Dollars

Posted on: Monday, 11 July 2005, 18:01 CDT

WASHINGTON, July 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- "On behalf of the millions of Americans who use public transportation every day, APTA calls on the Senate to address a critical aspect of national security and fund transit security at the level needed to ensure that transit riders are as safe as possible," said William W. Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association. "There is no excuse, especially after the terrorist attacks on transit systems in London and Madrid, not to vote for adequate funding for public transportation."

"Making our public transportation systems safe is a national security issue," said Millar. "The federal government is responsible for national security and should make transit security a top priority. APTA stands ready to work with the Senate to develop the best transit security legislation possible."

Last year, transit agencies from across the country participated in an APTA survey on security needs. The survey results showed that U.S. transit agencies need $6 billion to better protect transit riders. APTA has called on Congress and the Bush Administration to fund transit security at $2 billion for FY 06.

Last year, Congress provided $150 million for transit and rail security grants. Last month the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to cut transit and rail security grants by one-third to $100 million in the 2006 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill.

This week the full Senate is considering the 2006 DHS Appropriations bill and APTA is asking that instead of the $100 million the Committee recommended, the Senate include $2 billion for transit security in this year's DHS appropriations bill.

To read APTA's April 14, 2005 testimony for the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, go to http:// www.apta.com/government(under)affairs/aptatest/ testimony050414.cfm.

"Public transportation riders should not be treated as second- class citizens by the federal government when it comes to security funding," said Millar. "Since 9/11, the federal government has allocated only $250 million for transit security. In contrast, the aviation industry has received $18.1 billion from the federal government for aviation security in the period from September 11, 2001 through May 31, 2005."

"Americans take public transportation 32 million times a day -- 16 times more often than they travel on domestic airlines," concluded Millar. "Last year, people took 9.6 billion trips on transit. This week, the Senate needs to address transit security needs and protect the millions of people who depend on transit."

"We don't need another wake up call like London or Madrid," continued Millar. "We need action now with Senate votes for adequate transit security funding."

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APTA is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions, and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical pubic transportation services and products. Over ninety percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA members.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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