Washington, D.C. – Today, American Public Transportation Association President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in the hearing “Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Public Transportation Stakeholders’ Perspectives.”
Highlights of his testimony are below; his full submitted remarks can be found here.
Skoutelas on the Overall Federal Reauthorization Investment:
“On October 12, 2019, APTA’s Board of Directors adopted APTA’s Recommendations on Surface Transportation Law. Our top three priorities are premised on erasing the infrastructure deficit, rebuilding and expanding our public transportation systems to best meet the needs of today’s commuting public and future demands, and enhancing our nation’s economic competitiveness. APTA calls for a total federal investment of $178 billion over six years for public transit and passenger rail. If enacted, this investment will create or sustain more than two million jobs.”
Skoutelas on the Highway Trust Fund Solvency and Long-Term Increased Investment:
“APTA calls for federal investment of $145 billion over six years to fund critical projects that will repair, maintain, and improve our public transit systems today and in the future. We have based this Recommendation on the funding needed to provide the federal share necessary to eliminate the transit state-of-good-repair backlog, which the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has determined is more than $99 billion and growing. Additionally, our plan would fully fund each of the projects currently in the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) pipeline, and fund other key priorities…”
Skoutelas on Reestablishing a 40-40-20 Capital Investment Ratio Among Key Programs:
“APTA calls on Congress to reestablish a 40-40-20 capital investment ratio among the CIG, State of Good Repair, and Buses and Bus Facilities program. Historically, Congress allocated funding on a 40-40-20 basis among the CIG, State of Good Repair and Buses and Bus Facilities programs. The 40-40-20 ratio was maintained in authorizing law from 1987 through 1998, and for guaranteed authorizations from 1999 through 2003. Recent authorization acts have not maintained that ratio and, as a result, the Buses and Bus Facilities program has received less funding.”
Skoutelas on Mobility and Innovation:
“APTA calls for the creation of a new Mobility Innovation and Technology Initiative to introduce cutting-edge technologies and integrate new service-delivery approaches and mobility options in the transit marketplace. We need to invest in public transportation innovation that meets the evolving needs of our residents and the places they live. Advances in technology have allowed vehicles to operate with increased autonomy and efficiencies, and data capabilities enable effortless trip planning and streamlined information sharing. Today, there are more transportation options than ever—commuters may ride a shared scooter to a bus stop or take rideshare to a rail station.”
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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 public and private sector organizations which represent a $71 billion industry that directly employs 430,000 people and supports millions of private sector jobs. APTA members are 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.
