May 13, 2008
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The Honorable James L. Oberstar
Chairman
House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
2165 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Oberstar:
On behalf of the more than 1,500 member organizations of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), I write in strong support of the “Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Use Act of 2008.” I applaud your proposal to expand access to public transportation as a key strategy to reduce fuel consumption and improve the environment. Riding public transportation is also one of the quickest ways for individuals to escape the high cost of gasoline.
By reducing travel and congestion on roadways and supporting more efficient land use, transit saves the U.S. the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline and prevents the emission of 37 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. It is estimated that households with close proximity to public transportation drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles annually than those with no access to transit service. Transit availability can also reduce the need for an additional car, a yearly expense of $6,251 in an average household budget.
To increase these benefits from transit, we must improve and expand access to public transportation services. It is estimated that 46 percent of American households have no access to transit, and many public transportation systems are struggling to maintain current services because their cost to provide service has increased dramatically. Transit agencies will spend more than $3.8 billion on fuel and electricity for passenger operations this year, three times more than they spent in 2003.
As operating costs have increased, transit systems must often choose between cutting service and raising passenger fares, either of which discourage transit use. Given the energy challenges facing this nation, Americans need more access to transit, not reduced service and increased fares. Your proposal addresses these problems directly by providing new federal funding to expand transit service and reduce passenger fares. APTA also strongly supports your efforts to increase the availability of free transit passes for federal employees. This is a wise investment of federal resources that supports federal goals and serves as an excellent example for the private sector to emulate.
Sincerely,
William W. Millar
President
WWM/tjj
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