Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), one of the founders of Rail~Volution, praised attendees who promote sustainable and livable communities through rail when he addressed the Oct. 18 Opening Plenary Session in Washington, DC.

“I meet people who ask me, ‘You’re still doing this. Why?’ I’m still promoting this cause because of the energy we see here,” Blumenauer told the audience. “You are what is driving and animating this effort around the country.”

He reported on the challenges caused by the current economic situation, stressing that “Rebuilding America is the fastest way to put people to work and help the economy.” He said the reason the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act did not work better in jumpstarting the U.S. economy is that it was not ambitious enough, adding: “We’re not borrowing too much money, we’re spending too little.” To make the point, Blumenauer noted that both Presidents Reagan in 1982 and Clinton in 1993 instituted gasoline tax increases as part of a deficit reduction strategy.

APTA President William Millar, who followed Blumenauer at the podium, said to him: “We all come to Rail~Volution to get recharged. Thanks for reminding us of why we’re doing what we’re doing.” Millar announced his Oct. 31 retirement from APTA as president and chief executive officer and introduced his successor, Michael P. Melaniphy, making clear that “APTA will continue to be very supportive of Rail~Volution.”

After noting that the current conference is the 14th one in which he has participated, Millar looked back to 1997, the last time Rail~Volution convened in Washington. “You’ve changed the image of what cities and transportation can be,” he said. “Now, when I sit in a restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue and watch people make their daily commute, I see bicyclists as well as buses and cars.” He also referenced the connection between public transportation and employment: “When more people start to use public transit, that’s because more people are traveling to and from work.”

Millar also picked up on Blumenauer’s comments about government investment in public transportation. He pointed to regions where rail systems have exceeded expectations: The Tide light rail in Norfolk, VA, is seeing ridership levels well above estimates only two months after entering operation, and rider numbers aboard the A Train in Denton County, TX, show that Texans will set aside their personal vehicles if public transit provides good service. Another Texas system—Dallas Area Rapid Transit, headed by APTA Chair Gary C. Thomas, who was in the audience and who Millar recognized—opened its 28-mile, 20-station light rail Green Line in December 2010.

“Politicians say people don’t want more taxes, but is that true?” Millar asked. “At the same time that voters elected many more conservative members of the House, they also voted to raise taxes to support new public transit service; to renew transit taxes; and to purchase bonds that have to be paid back with tax funds.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood spoke about how livability efforts have led to the return of streetcars—which he recalled from his childhood in Peoria, IL. He also reported on the need for federal investments in rail, the importance of freight rail in improving passenger rail service, and plans for true high-speed rail (operating at 200 mph) in California.

“One way to get America back on its feet is to get Congress to pass the American Jobs Act,” LaHood said. “We would hand the American people jobs because that’s what we owe the American people.” The need for rebuilt infrastructure is not a partisan issue, he added: “There’s no such thing as Republican or Democratic roads, bridges, or transit systems. We need to rebuild the next generation of transportation for our friends and neighbors.”

Grace Crunican, general manager of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, served as emcee of the plenary session.

Photos by Susan Berlin Speakers at the Opening Plenary Session of Rail~Volution 2011, from left: BART General Manager Grace Crunican, who moderated the session; APTA President William Millar; Rep. Earl Blumenauer; and DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.	From left: APTA Chair Gary C. Thomas, APTA President and CEO-elect Michael P. Melaniphy, and APTA President William Millar talk before the Opening Plenary Session at Rail~Volution.