In his first address to a joint session of Congress on Feb. 28, President Donald Trump called on lawmakers to pass legislation that will “produce” $1 trillion of infrastructure investment, to be “financed through both public and private capital.”

Citing President Dwight Eisenhower’s interstate highway program from the 1950s, he said, “The time has come for a new program of national rebuilding.” Many Republicans and Democrats applauded the president’s remarks but said they want to see details about how such an initiative would be funded.
   
As a follow-up to the president’s speech, DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao outlined her approach to the nation’s infrastructure issues on March 2, promising a “bold new vision.” She said the administration’s proposal will “rebuild, refresh, revitalize our country’s critical infrastructure.”

White Stresses Investment Needs

APTA Acting President & CEO Richard White encouraged attendees at this week’s American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Washington Briefing to actively engage administration officials and new members of Congress to push for an infrastructure investment initiative.

“The public transit industry has a $90 billion backlog of repair work and $42 billion in ongoing maintenance needs that must be addressed,” White said during a roundtable discussion. “The longer we delay, the more that number will grow and, with it, an erosion of efficiency, economic growth and the public’s trust.”

Other participants were Chris Spear, president & CEO, American Trucking Association; Ed Hamberger, president & CEO, Association of American Railroads; Matt Chase, executive director, National Association of Counties; and Ed Mortimer, executive director, transportation infrastructure, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Marketing & Communications, Legal Affairs Meetings

Public transit marketing and communications professionals gathered last week in Tampa, FL, for the APTA Marketing & Communications Workshop, which included the presentation of AdWheel first-place awards and the selection of the Call Center Challenge winner. Also last week, the Legal Affairs Seminar met in Savannah, GA. See the next issue of Passenger Transport for details.

SAVE THE DATE

There's still time to register for the APTA Legislative Conference, March 12-14 in Washington, DC. Confirmed speakers include three members of Congress and numerous congressional staffers representing House and Senate authorizing, appropriations and tax committees.

Also, remember to submit nominations for the 2017 APTA Awards by April 10. Find information here.

IN THE MEDIA

Building Employment Partnerships--The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky is working with employers in the Cincinnati region to guarantee connections among people, buses and jobs.

Paying Fares Without Farecards--The Atlantic's CityLab reports on the Land Transport Authority in Singapore's pilot program that will let riders use compatible credit and debit cards to pay their fares directly rather than using and refilling farecards.

Thanks, KAT--A longtime rider of Knoxville Area Transit thanks the agency's employees and supporters for their service in a letter to the Knoxville (TN) News Sentinel.

Outreach to Healthcare Professionals--rabbittransit in York, PA, has created a video to help educate healthcare professionals, community stakeholders and the general public on the different services available to connect users with healthcare.

QUOTABLE & NOTABLE

“Crumbling infrastructure will be replaced with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railways gleaming across our beautiful land.”

President Donald Trump
Feb. 28