It’s time for Congress to get serious about investing in public transit.
It’s good news that both the House and Senate have passed multi-year transportation bills, but it’s not enough simply to move forward with the same transportation strategy we’ve always had. We need to make public transportation a national priority, and that means funding it at the highest possible levels. As Congress works to reconcile the two pieces of legislation in front of them, they should ensure that public transportation receives significantly increased funding.
Our nation has a backlog of at least $86 billion in needed bus and rail maintenance. Nationwide, there are more than 60 public transit projects on hold due to lack of consistent funding. And 45 percent of Americans have no public transit. This should be unacceptable in a modern society.
Congress needs to make public transit the priority it should be by passing a long-term transportation bill with increased investment in public transit. And they should do it this year, while there is still time. Our economy, environment and quality of life are all at stake. Voters are watching what they do on this important issue. I hope our members of Congress have the courage to set us on a better course when it comes to transportation in America.
Frank Stieber
Seattle
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