March 15, 2006
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Dear Senator:
We understand that Senator Lieberman, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, may offer an amendment that would provide increased investment to address a broad range of our nation's security needs, including $1 billion for rail and public transportation security of which $500 million would be provided specifically for public transportation security. On behalf of the 1,600 member organizations of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), we urge you to vote for this amendment.
The amendment recognizes the need for significantly greater federal resources for rail and public transportation security as well as for first responders, port security, chemical security, and passenger rail security, among others.
Since September 11, 2001, public transit agencies in the United States have spent over $2 billion on security and emergency preparedness programs and technology from their own budgets with only minimal federal funding. Last year's attacks in London and the previous year's attacks in Madrid further highlight the need to strengthen security on public transit systems and to do so without delay. We do not need another wakeup call like the terrorists attacks on rail systems in London and Madrid.
In 2004 APTA surveyed its U.S. transit systems to determine what actions they needed to take to improve security for their customers, employees and facilities. In response to the survey, transit agencies around the country have identified in excess of $6 billion in transit security investment needs. We believe it is important that the federal government be a full partner in the effort to ensure the security of the nation's transit users.
The Department of Homeland Security has spent nearly $20 billion on aviation security since September 11, 2001 and allocated only $250 million on transit security. Over 9.6 billion transit trips are taken annually on all modes of transit service. People use public transportation vehicles over 32 million times each weekday. This is more than sixteen times the number of daily travelers on the nation's airlines.
If we can provide any further information on this matter, please have your staff contact Tom Yedinak of APTA's Government Affairs Department at (202) 496-4865 or email tyedinak@apta.com. We appreciate your consideration of our views on this important matter.
Sincerely yours,
William
W. Millar
President
WWM/tjj
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