LaHood Tells APTA Transit Will Get Bigger Piece of the Funding Pie (AASHTO Journal)
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told the American Public Transportation Association this week that transit must provide an even greater share of American mobility in the future as Americans cut back on the number of miles they drive in personal vehicles.”Mobility not only drives our economy; it is part of our way of life,” LaHood wrote on his blog following Monday’s address to APTA’s annual meeting in Orlando, FL. “And in the future, transit will have to carry an even greater share of that mobility.”
LaHood told APTA members that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s work with the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs to promote livable communities and sustainability “will produce the most profound strategic shift in commuting and travel patterns that we’ve seen in more than half a century. Efficient, sustainable mobility is an idea whose time has come, and our nation’s transit agencies are leading the way.”
While acknowledging funding is the biggest challenge, LaHood noted he and President Barack Obama are determined to work with Congress to pass a transportation authorization bill that will streamline federal transportation programs, identify new sustainable funding sources, and attend more carefully to regional priorities.
“When we’re finished, you’ll see that localities and metropolitan regions will have more say and greater flexibility in how federal dollars are spent,” LaHood wrote. “That will lead to better outcomes for all Americans.”
Secretary Says the Interstate System is “Done,” Other Modes Will Have Priority for New Funding
In an interview with the AARP Bulletin published in this month’s edition, LaHood spoke about a future where automobiles and highways play less of a role in America’s transportation system.
“People want alternative forms of transportation; they don’t want to own two or three cars,” LaHood said. “Look, we built the interstate system. That’s done. Now we’re trying other things so you don’t have to get in a car every time you want to go somewhere.”
LaHood defended spending the majority off the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s $48 billion in transportation funds on highways and bridges ($27 billion). But he indicated other modes would receive a greater proportion of federal funding in the future.
“I know people have criticized there’s too much money going to highways, but it’s a very quick way to fix up deteriorated infrastructure and put people to work,” he said. “Many of these jobs will last 18 months, and by then hopefully we’ll have an authorization bill that will really enhance alternative transit and high-speed rail.”
The secretary also defended the administration’s request for an 18-month extension of current surface transportation authorization, hinting that it might support a funding increase once the economy rebounds.
“There’s no way we’re going to find that money now,” LaHood said. A delay of “18 months gives us the opportunity to help the economy get a little better so we can pass a very comprehensive bill.”
