APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas issued the following statement on the confirmation of Ronald L. Batory as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration and the nomination of Thelma Drake to be Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration:

"APTA and its more than 1,500 members congratulate Ronald Batory on his confirmation as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).  He brings to his new role more than 45 years of leadership experience in the railroad industry. We look forward to working with him on critical issues facing our nation's commuter rail systems, and wish him much success at FRA.

"Additionally, APTA congratulates Thelma Drake on being nominated to the position of Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).  As the former director of Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2005–2009 , Drake has hands-on experience with public transportation issues at the city, state and national levels.  We hope for a swift confirmation of this critical position.

"Both FRA and FTA are vital partners to APTA and the public transportation industry.  We are eager to work with the leaders of both agencies on priorities that include safety and security, funding for the FAST Act, and an infrastructure initiative that addresses the $90 billion backlog in state of good repair work and sustainable solvency for the Highway Trust Fund and Mass Transit Account."