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July 7, 2005
The Honorable Judd Gregg
Chairman
Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Senate Committee on Appropriations
135 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Robert C. Byrd
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Senate Committee on Appropriations
196 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senators Gregg and Byrd:
In light of the tragic terrorist attacks on London's subway and bus system, I write again on behalf of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) regarding the FY 2006 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill. Clearly, it is now more critical than ever that Congress commit in a significant way to address public transportation security investment needs so that we do not have to face the consequences of an attack on our critical transit infrastructure, and I would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience to present the views of the transit industry on this important issue.
Two weeks ago, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security set funding for an important transit and rail security program at only two-thirds of the FY 2005 program level, the first year of this new program. The Subcommittee-approved bill would fund the transit and rail security program at $100 million in FY 2006, compared to a $150 million program level in FY 2005. This reduction would make it more difficult to adequately protect the millions of Americans who ride public transportation each day. In contrast, the Administration's FY 2006 Department of Homeland Security budget request proposed significant increases in federal grants for the protection of critical infrastructure, including public transportation.
While the restoration of funding for this program would help, the events in London demonstrate that much more investment clearly is needed. Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the federal government has spent over $18 billion on aviation security and only $250 million for public transportation security. For public transportation alone, APTA has identified more than $6 billion in security needs. With 9.6 billion trips a year on public transportation, transit security is a very important issue for America's transit riders. Americans take public transportation 32 million times a day-16 times more than travel on domestic airlines. We need to take every action possible to avoid a terrorist attack on a transit system like the ones in London and in Madrid last year. We note that last year the Senate unanimously passed S. 2884, which authorized $3.5 billion for transit security.
We strongly urge the Senate to restore these cuts on the Senate floor and to increase significantly investment in public transportation security needs.
If you have any questions about these issues, please have your staff contact Tom Yedinak of APTA's Government Affairs Department at (202) 496-4865 or email tyedinak@apta.com.
Sincerely yours,
William
W. Millar
President
WWM/tjj
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