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REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE MARIA CINO
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON, DC
MARCH 6, 2006
11:00 A.M.
Sandy, thank you for that kind introduction. As most of you know, Sandy is
part of the new leadership at the Federal Transit Administration, and already
she is doing a terrific job. We are lucky to have her at DOT.
The Department is very eager to welcome Jim Simpson who the President nominated
to be the new FTA Administrator. We are hopeful that the Senate Banking
Committee will consider his nomination sometime this month.
Also, I bring greetings from Secretary Mineta, who told me that he considers
Bill Millar, Chris Boylan, Howard Silver, and the other folks at APTA good
friends, and he sends his best to all of you.
We are very lucky to have Norm Mineta leading the Department of Transportation.
No one has as much first-hand knowledge of transportation and infrastructure as
he does. He will forget more about transportation than I will learn.
So while I can not claim to have Secretary Mineta’s vast knowledge of
transportation, I have learned a great many things during my tenure at DOT.
Perhaps the most important lesson is that it takes a tremendous amount of work
to develop the right mix of programs and policies to keep Americans moving
safely. As you know, public transportation is an essential part of this
equation.
Getting people where they need to go so that they can go about the business of
their lives is the promise of public transportation in America.
This promise takes on a new urgency as the Nation’s economy expands, jobs are
created, and our cities and communities grow. Today, opportunities are bringing
people to city centers, but the price they pay is hours spent stuck in traffic –
cutting into their productivity and the time they spend with their families.
America cannot afford to be tied-up in traffic. So we must turn to transit as
one way to relieve crowded roads, conserve energy, and make it easier and faster
to get around. An investment in transit is an investment in keeping America
moving.
Keeping America moving safely and efficiently is the primary goal of our newest
transportation law, SAFETEA-LU. In addition to providing record funding for our
roads, highways, and bridges, the new law also represents the largest-ever
Federal investment in public transportation.
The law helps change the business of transit in America. Along with increased
financial predictability and stability resulting from funding by formula,
SAFETEA-LU also expands eligibility for the New Starts program. And, it improves
the coordination of transportation services for those who need a little extra
help getting where they need to go.
The law also provides States and localities the flexibility to determine how
they can best meet the needs of those who are heavily reliant on public
transportation in their communities.
The Department has outlined an aggressive schedule to implement SAFETEA-LU. But,
while the timeline is aggressive, it also offers ample opportunity for industry
input.
And I am pleased to say we have already made steady progress.
DOT and FTA have wasted no time. We have released nine federal register notices
for public comment since the passage of SAFETEA-LU. These notices have provided
those in the transit community with the opportunity to comment on new program
implementation and policy proposals before we institute them.
After all, listening and learning from those in the transit community helps
shape better policies and programs.
In addition to the standard solicitation for comments to the regulatory docket,
we have developed an extensive outreach schedule so the transit community can
provide input and ask questions in real-time.
The first of many planned listening sessions occurred via teleconference in
November 2005, followed by seven cross-country sessions in the past three
months.
On March 23rd, we will host a listening session in Alexandria, Virginia, on the
implementation of several SAFETEA-LU provisions. The meeting will also address
the development and implementation of a public transit/human service
transportation plan. I encourage you to join us and share your thoughts.
And while we are moving forward with SAFETEA-LU implementation, the
Administration remains committed to responsible investments in public
transportation.
To support this commitment, President Bush’s new budget proposes an $8.9 billion
federal investment in public transportation in 2007. This record investment
represents a $370 million dollar increase over 2006 funding levels, which is
significant at a time when fiscal restraint and responsibility are absolute
necessities.
As you all know, the New Starts program is an important part of this historic
investment in public transportation.
Last month, the President and Secretary Mineta submitted to the Congress a New
Starts Report to spend $1.5 billion for up to 28 major transit projects in the
coming years.
These projects were selected to receive funding after passing FTA’s rigorous
tests, which require strong ridership and solid community support before
taxpayer dollars can be spent.
We are happy to report that a total of 16 states and Puerto Rico successfully
met these stringent standards. And when all of these projects are completed,
they will carry over 346 million riders a year, and save more than 129 million
hours in travel time.
This $1.5 billion investment includes more than $300 million to assist in
funding five new projects, as well as $572 million to keep 16 current projects
moving forward.
Additionally, five other projects could be eligible for up to $102 million based
on their progress, while $355 million is available for two projects pending
execution of Full Funding Grant Agreements this year.
The remaining $100 million is set aside for the new Small Starts program. This
innovative program levels the playing field by allowing smaller, less-costly
projects to compete against like-sized projects through their own streamlined
program.
I know there is some disappointment with the $100 million amount for Small
Starts. But, we believe this amount represents a good down payment to get Small
Starts up and running, and we expect to continue to support the program for many
years to come.
But, before the Federal Transit Administration can even recommend specific
projects to receive Small Starts funding, a number of steps must be taken
including: establishment of program criteria; development of proposals by those
seeking project funding; and, FTA’s review of these proposals.
The Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking we issued in January is a critical
first step that signals the Department is moving forward aggressively with the
development of Small Starts.
We are strongly committed to the success of the program and plan to issue a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in September 2006 with a Final Rule in June 2007.
In closing, let me say that SAFETEA-LU and other transportation policies are
helping to change the way that transit does business in America. And we are
committed to working with all of you to continue to deliver on the promise of
public transportation.
Once again, thanks for doing what you do to keep Americans safe and mobile. Keep
up the great work! Thanks very much.
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