Government Affairs

March 10, 2002

SUMMARY OF APTA LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS

BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS ISSUES

• APTA urges Congress to fund the federal transit program at no less than the $7.2 billion level guaranteed under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA 21) in FY 2003, as recommended in the Bush Administration FY 2003 budget request. Additional transit investment is needed to bolster the economy, reduce traffic congestion and meet growing transit infrastructure investment needs. APTA supports the Bush Administration's New Freedoms Initiative, but recommends that it be funded from TEA 21 FY 2003 funds authorized to be appropriated over the guaranteed amounts.

• Maintain current matching shares for all transit and highway programs as authorized under TEA 21.

• APTA supports the Highway Funding Restoration Act (H.R. 3694/S. 1917), which would restore FY 2003 highway funding cuts resulting from application of the revenue aligned budget authority provisions of TEA 21. APTA supports maximum funding for surface transportation infrastructure investment.

REAUTHORIZATION: TEA 21 WORKS

• In reauthorizing federal transit and highway programs, Congress should preserve the TEA 21 funding guarantees, which ensure reliable and predictable long-term federal investment in public transportation. Congress should grow the federal program investment levels in response to significant and growing public transportation infrastructure needs.

RAIL ISSUES

• Congress should enact H.R. 2654 (TRAIN 21), which would establish a federal process for local and regional passenger rail projects to help resolve disputes involving use of freight railroad rights-of-way and allow passenger rail projects to advance under fair and reasonable terms. Such a process currently exists for Amtrak service.

• While federal funding for intercity and high-speed rail projects is necessary for the growth of passenger rail options, funding for intercity rail projects and operations should not come from existing Highway Trust Fund resources, where limited funds currently are dedicated to public transportation and highway needs well in excess of current resources.

• Any new intercity rail laws should not by extension be presumed to automatically apply to commuter rail.

• Congress should reauthorize the Rail Safety Act without additional statutory requirements and mandates, and recognize the need for additional rail infrastructure investments.