Getting America To Work Members Mark Stand Up for Transportation Day
On Thursday, April 9, transit agencies across the United States will host events marking Stand Up for Transportation Day, a nationwide campaign calling on Congress to pass a long-term surface transportation bill. These events will feature local officials, transit agency executives, community partners and Members of Congress – all of whom will be speaking out about the need to bring the nation’s transit systems into a state of good repair. Getting America To Work (GATW), a national coalition of over 100 transit agencies and commuter groups, is proud to support our member organizations as they take part in this important effort. The following is a sample of the events being hosted by GATW members across the nation:
- The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will partner with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace and Amtrak to hold a press conference at Chicago’s Union Station featuring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL-3), Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Congressman Bob Dold (R-IL-10).
- The Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association (PPTA) will be holding a press conference with former governor Ed Rendell and acting Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Leslie Richards.
- The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will be hosting a conversation with Congressman David Scott (D-GA-13) and several local transit officials.
- CalTrain is partnering with the San Mateo County Transit District, San Mateo County Transportation Authority and several other Bay-area transportation leaders to host a press conference at San Francisco’s Transbay Temporary Terminal.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming so many of Illinois’ elected leaders to talk about the importance of investing in the nation’s transportation system,” said Leanne Redden, Executive Director of Chicago’s RTA and GATW Advisory Board member. “The RTA’s transit system is one of the nation’s largest, yet federal funds for capital improvements are only expected to cover half of our region’s backlog of infrastructure needs over the next decade. Our national transit networks have been neglected for far too long and it is now time for Congress to unite behind a long-term bill that invests in the future of mass transit in the United States.”
In 2014, nearly 11 billion trips were made on public transportation in the United States. This figure—the highest in nearly six decades—continues an upward trend in transit ridership. Yet, Congress has failed to address funding shortfalls that have left our public transportation infrastructure in disrepair. As the deadline for reauthorizing MAP-21 approaches, GATW members are asking leaders in Washington to find a funding source for a new law that will ensure transit agencies are able to meet growing demand for years to come.
For additional information on Getting America To Work or for details on events in your area, please contact Alex Kisling at akisling@asgk.com.
