Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Votes in Support of Public Transit

Press Release

CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON VOTES IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC TRANSIT

Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008 will enable more consumers to use public transit

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today voted for H.R. 6052, the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008. This legislation will increase accessibility to public transit around the country, thereby saving consumers money and benefiting the environment. The bill passed on a vote of 322-98.

The Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act authorizes $1.7 billion in mass transit grants over the next two years, which can be used to reduce transit fares, expand transit services or pay for the rising costs of operating public transportation. Transit agencies, like consumers, are having trouble coping with escalating fuel costs, and the legislation can help them to continue operating without passing the cost increases on to consumers.

The grants will be available to both urban and rural areas and could enable communities that currently lack mass transit systems to implement them. Currently, 46 percent of the U.S. population has no access to public transit.

Congresswoman Johnson is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She submitted the following statement for the record:

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6052, the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act.

At the outset I want to commend the bipartisan leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their efforts in getting this measure to the floor. The legislation before us is a good bill; one that will provide a much-needed hand-up to our nation's transit agencies as they work to meet record demands for public transportation services.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit Agency, or DART, headquartered in my congressional district and one of the best transit agencies in the country, fully supports this bill. Similar to other agencies around the country, DART ridership is setting records, as more North Texans recognize the immense value transit offers.

In May, DART had its busiest month ever, providing 10.3 million trips. North Texans are flocking to transport by rail in record numbers as ridership by Light and Commuter Rail is up 5.4% and 7.1%, respectively, over 2007 numbers. During the first seven months of 2008, DART has witnessed a dramatic 33.8% increase in its vanpool ridership.

The Agency has acted aggressively to accommodate the increased demand. The Agency is utilizing a new Super Light Rail Vehicle to increase passenger capacity.

The Agency now has a record 145 vans in operation for vanpool commuters and has reached its budget maximum. My transit agency could benefit immediately from the tools provided under H.R. 6052.

H.R. 6052 will help transit agencies expand services and reach more people as it authorizes $1.7 billion dollars for capital and operating funds for transit agencies; increases the federal cost share for alternative fuel transit buses; extends transit benefits to all federal employees; establishes a vanpool pilot program; and increases the federal cost share for commuter parking facilities so more people may have access to commuter stations.

Madam Speaker, without question, there is a need for an overall expansion of transit programs across this country. However, in order for this to happen, there must be a realignment of infrastructure investment priorities and increased support at the local, state, and federal levels. H.R. 6052 is a step in the right direction as it highlights importance of transit expansion across the nation.

Public transit takes drivers off the road; uses one-half the fuel of private automobiles; and saves working families billions annually in transportation costs. Studies show transportation costs are the second largest household expense behind housing costs.

Nationally, for every dollar a working family saves on housing, it spends seventy seven cents more on transportation costs.

While public transit remains an option for some—for poor and working families, public transit exists as a means for economic survival.

So with that said Madam Speaker, I would merely like to reiterate my strong support for H.R. 6052 and urge my colleagues to vote yes in giving transit agencies across the country, and the millions of people they service, a hand up today. This sound, bipartisan piece of legislation is deserving of passage.

Thank you Madam Speaker and I yield back the balance of my time.

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