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Home > NewsRelease > Public Transit CEOs Highlight Urgent Need to Invest in the Nation’s Aging Public Transportation Systems during National Infrastructure Week
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Public Transit CEOs Highlight Urgent Need to Invest in the Nation’s Aging Public Transportation Systems during National Infrastructure Week
From:
American Public Transportation Association American Public Transportation Association
For Immediate Release:
Dateline: Washington, DC
Thursday, May 19, 2016

 
Today, CEOs of large, mid-size and small public transportation systems sounded the alarm for the urgent need to increase infrastructure investment in one of America’s most valuable assets – its public transportation systems.  The national press conference call was a part of this year’s National Infrastructure Week (NIW), which is being held May 16 – 23.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) cited an $86 billion backlog in deferred maintenance and replacement needs with more than 40 percent of buses and 25 percent of rail transit assets in marginal or poor condition, according to the latest data from 2013.  At the same time, with ridership increasing by 37 percent since 1995, public transit systems are challenged to increase service and capacity.
“After decades of inadequate investment, the American public transportation infrastructure is crumbling,” said American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Chair Valarie J. McCall, who serves on the board of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA).  “This neglect demands attention at all levels of government so that public transit can continue to help grow communities and businesses.”
“As public transportation has experienced tremendous growth over the last two decades, public transit systems are struggling to maintain aging and outdated infrastructure while at the same time being challenged to expand capacity,” said APTA Acting President and CEO Richard White.  “While Congress’s passage of the federal FAST Act was a step in the right direction, the job is still not done because we are woefully behind in investing in our infrastructure. Estimates to meet current national public transportation demand will require a capital investment of $43 billion annually over six years by all levels of government.  Currently, the U.S. invests $17.7 billion annually.”

A number of other public transportation agencies nationwide are participating in NIW as members of APTA, which is an affiliate member.  National Infrastructure Week is the largest, most diverse, non-partisan coalition of organizations dedicated to strengthening America by rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure. This year’s fourth annual National Infrastructure Week brings together America’s business, labor and policy-making leadership, and it includes more than 100 affiliate organizations from all sectors of America’s economy and society.

About the American Public Transportation Association
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 public and private sector organizations, engaged in the areas of bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail.  This includes: transit systems; planning, design, construction, and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; transit associations and state departments of transportation.  APTA is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical transit services and products. 


 
News Media Interview Contact
Name: Chad Chitwood
Title: Director-Media Relations
Group: American Public Transportation Association
Dateline: Washington, DC United States
Direct Phone: (202) 496-4800
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