More Than 100 Transit and Environmental Groups Demand Congress Keep Promise Of The Infrastructure Bill And Fully Fund Transit In Appropriations
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 21, 2022
Contact: Doug Gordon | doug@upshiftstrategies.com
Today, more than 100 transit and environmental groups sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees demanding that they keep the promise of the bipartisan infrastructure bill and fully fund transit throughout the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations process.
The letter, which was organized by the National Campaign for Transit Justice and signed by Transportation for America, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Association of City Transportation Officials, U.S. PIRG, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and many others, states:
“With great economic uncertainty throughout our economy and rising gas prices, public transit is more important than ever. Public transit is not only an engine for economic growth and jobs; it is also an important bulwark against our dependence on foreign oil.
And continues:
“At this critical moment, the IIJA gives cities and states the ability to expand public transit options, replace thousands of deficient transit vehicles, including buses, with clean, zero-emission vehicles, and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities. But that is not possible unless Congress fulfills its promise to the American public and fully funds the vital programs contained in the bill.”
The groups specifically asked Congress to fund
- FTA’s Capital Investment Grants Program (CIG)
- RAISE and MEGA Competitive Grant Programs
- Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP)
The letter concludes by stating:
“Public transit is our route to equitable economic growth and jobs. But that cannot be accomplished without full funding for programs that fund transit projects and efforts to improve access to transit. We cannot afford to miss this historic opportunity and need Congress to fulfill the promise it made in the IIJA.”