Passenger Transport 2010 APTA Annual Meeting - 5

Telling Our Story: A Capitol Hill Event
Thousands Across America Sign Petitions
BY SUSAN BERLIN Senior Editor

P

ublic transportation supporters from across the nation gathered Sept. 22 in Washington, DC, to present petitions to Congress in support of a long-term transportation authorization bill. Thousands of people signed the petitions as part of APTA

support of the federal government.” Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), who represents Memphis—Carter’s home city—spoke about the role of public transportation, specifically buses, in the public consciousness. “Public transportation needs to be a focus for the future,” he emphasized. “People should have a right to transportation; they can’t just depend on the automobile. We need to

Crowds gathered outside WMATA’s Federal Center South West Station for the Telling Our Story event.

Chair M.P. Carter’s “Telling Our Story” initiative, and the petition is still available to be signed online at www.publictransportation.org. APTA President William Millar welcomed the crowd at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Federal Center South West Station near the Capitol. “I’m flattered that my colleagues from across the country have chosen to hold this event at our doorstep,” said WMATA Interim General Manager Richard Sarles. “I ride Metro every day and I see people going to work, to school, mothers with their children, older riders—the entire society. But we can’t provide service alone; we need the

make sure all forms of transportation are available. Public transit is not only efficient, it brings people together.” He cited the importance of transportation to the U.S. economy, pointing out that “a whole lot of buses wouldn’t be out there” and unemployment levels would be even higher were it not for the transit projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). “As you tell your story, be sure to share the benefits of ARRA,” he added. Cohen then introduced Carter, who gave a brief retrospective of the “Telling Our Story” effort—the signature initiative of her term as chair and “the capstone of an effort begun nearly one

year ago.” Designed, she said, “to let elected officials hear that we must have significantly increased federal investment [in public transportation]—state and local, too, while we’re at it!—it’s also to show them that the American people are squarely behind them in supporting more public transit investment.” She continued: “Our buses surrounding us here tell the story of why public transit is so critical. For certain, public transit not only helps people get to their jobs—it also creates jobs.” Carter said: “Starting last October, as APTA APTA’s petition book. chair, I asked people to tell anyone who would listen how House Transportation and Infrastrucpublic transportation saves energy, ture Committee—called on Americans saves fuel, saves time, and saves to “make a mode shift to transit” as he money,” she said. “And on top of addressed the event. In acknowledgthat—it gets us to places that are ing the thousands of petitions signed important to our quality of life. by Americans urging increased federal And Americans responded!” investment in public transportation, She also noted that 5,000 citizens he said: “These petitions are the first provided comments in support of start. They are going to bring about a transit at hearings throughout the change in public policy for an America country, and announced the creation that cares!” of APTA’s Online Wall: a collection of Oberstar reported on the success of testimonials from riders and community ARRA in supporting public transit infraleaders gathered over the past year, structure, noting that the legislation available to view at www.public enabled the purchase of 12,600 transit transportation.org. APTA is continuing buses and the development or improveto gather even more stories, so the wall ment of 5,000 transit stations. “We’ve can become the collective voice of made a great start; now we need to Americans as they express the imporcontinue it,” he said, adding: “If all of tance of public transportation and urge America rallies around and says ‘this is Congress to increase funding for public for the health and good of our commutransportation by passing a multi-year nities’—we can pass this bill and make surface transportation authorization bill. America whole again.” The keynote speaker—Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the TELLING OUR STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Photo by Susan Richards

Photo by Steve Barrett

APTA Chair M.P. Carter expresses her thanks to her member of Congress, Rep. Steve Cohen.

Bus company representatives participating in the event are, from left, James P. Tooley of Nova Bus, John Richardson of Daimler Buses, Michael Melaniphy of MCI, and Joel Abraman of New Flyer. Carter is at the podium.

September 27, 2010 | 5

Photo by Steve Barrett
Passenger Transport 2010 APTA Annual Meeting

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Passenger Transport 2010 APTA Annual Meeting
