Increase Transit in the Economic Recovery Package

Jan 30, 2009

January 26, 2009
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232, U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Re: Increased transit investments in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill

Dear Madam Speaker,

The undersigned organizations and public officials write in support of amending the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill to invest further in our nation's public transportation network. Consistent with the proposal by Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar, we respectfully request an increase in the transit funding level to no less than $12 billion and the inclusion of at least $2 billion in energy assistance grants to help public transportation agencies meet growing demand for their service amidst budget cuts at the state and local levels and record transit fuel prices in the past year.

Despite record ridership last year, budget shortfalls are forcing transit agencies across the nation to cut their service and lay off thousands of workers. Energy assistance grants, similar to those included in the House of Representatives' stimulus proposal last fall and passed in H.R. 7110 last year, would keep thousands of Americans employed and hire thousands more. These grants will also prevent service cuts and fare increase at transit systems, and they will help transit systems make energy efficiency investments like purchasing new clean and alternative fuel buses. At present, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill does not contain investment that will address these needs for all transit systems, particularly large systems. According to the Amalgamated Transit Union, each $1 billion invested in public transportation operations immediately supports a total of 60,000 jobs.

The transportation sector is responsible for a third of the nation's global warming pollution, and two-thirds of domestic oil consumption. Public transportation saves nearly 2 billion gallons of fuel each year, and produces less than a third of the pollution of comparable passenger car travel. Providing further assistance will preserve these economic and environmental benefits and keep transit workers employed. Increased public transportation investment will provide employment opportunities in the construction, manufacturing, and technology sectors and will make lasting improvements to a network that enhances the vitality of metro areas. Transit service is also critical for the millions of people who depend on it to reach jobs, and it provides a low-cost transportation option for households at all income levels, seniors and workers with limited mobility.

We thank you for your leadership on this issue and your continued commitment to building a cleaner, safer and stronger America.

Signed,

1,000 Friends of Oregon
League of Conservation Voters
2020 Vision
LOCUS (Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors)Alliance to Save Energy
National Association of City Transportation Officials
Amalgamated Transit Union
National Wildlife Federation
American Public Transit Assocation
Natural Resources Defense Council
Ecology Center of Michigan
PolicyLink
Environment America
Reconnecting America
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Sierra Club
Environmental Defense Fund
Smart Growth America
Environmental Law and Policy Center
Southern Environmental Law Center
Environmental Working Group
Transit for Livable Communities
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Transportation Choices Coalition (Washington)
Friends of the Earth
Transportation Equity Network
Futurewise (Washington)
Transportation For America
Growth and Justice (Minnesota)
U.S. Public Interest Research Group
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Union of Concerned Scientists
ISAIAH: Building Just Communities (Minnesota) PDF Version