Tells Senate Committee that investment in public transit is critical to economy, jobs, communities, opportunity for all
Media Contact: David Roscow, 202-537-1645 x 254
Washington, DC – Citing exploding urban populations, worsening traffic jams, young people forgoing cars and stressed public transit systems, Larry Hanley, international president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, called on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to set forth a major urban transportation agenda at a hearing on the reauthorization of the transportation funding bill.
Speaking on behalf of transit workers and riders, Hanley told the committee that increased, and more flexible transit funding, enhanced transit health and safety efforts, expanded paratransit service, concerns with outsourcing transit systems, and workforce development are key elements to a comprehensive transportation bill.
ATU’s “Doors Opening: Transit Workers and Riders United for America’s Mobility” lays out a full set of proposals for reauthorization of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). It can be found at www.atu.org.
Currently 81 percent of Americans live in urban centers and experts predict city populations will increase by a third in the coming decades. Thirty years from now the population of the Phoenix metropolitan area is projected to swell to eight million – the same as New York City today. In Austin, TX, one of the fastest-growing cities, travel times from downtown Austin to Round Rock, which is only 20 miles away, ranges from 45 to 60 minutes during the average afternoon rush hour.
Hanley praised the Obama Administration’s call to address the transportation funding crisis with a new $302 billion transportation proposal including $72 billion for transit systems and expanded transportation options.
“The President sent a clear message to Congress that public transit matters to the American people. We need to invest in smart public transit initiatives to prevent America from falling behind our global competitors, and keep our cities and towns running,” said Hanley. “There are idle buses, bus stops without service and people who need to get to and from their job. The current infrastructure is already there. There is no shovel required to improve public transit.”
According to the Brookings Institute the typical metropolitan resident can reach only 30 percent of the jobs in their area within 90 minutes. Others who are among the seven percent jobless in our country may be unemployed because they do not own a car.
“Is it fair that those who depend on or choose public transit can’t get a job because they don’t have a car or bus route to get there?” Hanley continued. “Our nation has mixed up priorities, we aren’t paying attention to the things that really matter. We need to think beyond dollar and cents, and pass legislation that promotes what’s most important to us all.”
Hanley said doubling public transportation funding at $119 billion over the next six years would be paid through sound, progressive revenue streams. These would include phasing in a 15-cent per gallon gas tax increase, adopting the “Robin Hood Tax” which would impose a small tax on certain financial transactions, and developing a national infrastructure bank.
In addition, local transit agencies need more control of how they spend federal funds so they can avoid warehousing brand new buses while slashing service at the same time.
Hanley pointed to the fact that public transit creates good jobs, delivers customers to businesses, helps to fight pollution and traffic, and benefits communities in many ways.
“More people riding buses, subways and light rail means fewer cars on the road and less emissions. Buses emit 80 percent less carbon monoxide than a car,” Hanley continued. “For every $1 invested in public transportation, $4 in economic returns is generated. Transit not only moves the economy, but improves communities.”
Privatization fails public
Expressing his concern about the perils of widespread outsourcing of public transit, which has lead to deteriorating service, fare hikes and system mismanagement, Hanley called for the rejection of federal policies that encourage private sector management of public transit systems. Tales of failed privatization have occurred in communities across the country including Nassau County; Savannah, GA; Fairfield, CA; San Diego, CA; and many other cities.
Urgent safety concerns
Passenger and operator safety has become a huge issue in transit, as a disturbing increase in violent attacks on drivers is placing everyone on and near buses at risk. In addition, in too many cities, tight, computer-generated schedules and increased traffic congestion have created shifts in which no time is available to use the restroom, leading to highly distracted operators. Hanley called for common sense solutions to protect operators and passengers, alike.
Paratransit investment needed
Hanley called U.S. paratransit service, which serves people with disabilities and seniors, a disgrace, which must be addressed. “We must fulfill the promise of ADA and make an investment in the people who raised us. One day, we too will be in need of these services,” he said.
Good for the economy
“Investing in public transit is good for the economy, jobs, the environment and all aspects of our communities,” says Hanley, pointing to the fact that Americans overwhelming favor investment in transit, even supporting tax increases with more 70% of transit ballot measures passing since 2000.
“We need Congress to start thinking big when it comes to public transit, which when done well has been and continues to be a great ladder of opportunity for all,” Hanley concluded. “Let’s pass a bipartisan bill that enhances mobility for all of us.”
Video and Full Testimony can be found here
About the ATU
The Amalgamated Transit Union is the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1892, the ATU today is comprised of over 190,000 members in 264 local unions spread across 44 states and nine provinces, including 3,000 workers at Greyhound Lines, Inc. Composed of bus drivers, light rail operators, maintenance and clerical personnel and other transit and municipal employees, the ATU works to promote transit issues and fights for the interests of its hard-working members. For more information visit www.atu.org.