Congress is working on a major jobs bill that could help struggling transit systems across the country facing serious layoffs, service cuts and fare hikes, keep our buses and trains running, bring lasting improvements to our country’s transportation system…and strengthen our economy at the same time.
But only if it’s done right. And that is going to require some leadership.
That’s why our team is hoping to meet with the Obama administration soon to deliver a clear message: Smart transportation investments equal job growth. We will urge the President to apply three principles to ensure the funds go to where they are most needed
- Prioritize improvements to existing transit systems, rail lines, roads, and bridges. Rehabilitating existing transportation systems creates more jobs, faster than constructing new roadways from scratch, and investing in transit can create twice as many jobs than traditional highway spending.
- Invest in greener jobs and more efficient transportation projects. Modern high-speed rail, rapid rail and bus systems, safe streets that promote walking and bicycling, will bring our transportation policy into the 21st century while bringing new green job opportunities to low-income workers.
- Keep an eye on long-term transportation needs. We urge the President to limit any jobs package for transportation to one year so that Congress can both create jobs now, and also continue longer-term transformation of our transportation system in the future.
We need your help to make sure President Obama gets our message loud and clear. Please don’t wait – jobs legislation is likely to move quickly, so we need you to weigh in immediately!
Sign our letter urging President Obama to make sure the jobs bill helps struggling transit systems!
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Ilana Preuss
National Outreach Director
Transportation for America
[Source: Excerpted from an electronic communication from Transportation for America on January 20,2010]
