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Public transportation is strong, but “we can do better by thinking big and bold. America’s always been bold,” retiring DOT Secretary Ray LaHood declared during his keynote address before an enthusiastic standing-room-only crowd at a March 11 general session during the APTA Legislative Conference in Washington.
“As we look back, it’s clear we’ve made great progress—but the truth is that we have more work to do. We must continue to build  on the momentum we’ve created and invest in the infrastructure that makes this country great,” LaHood said in what was likely his last appearance at an APTA conference before he steps down from his Cabinet post.
He went on: “But it’s not going to get better unless you march up there [to Capitol Hill] and talk about investments and about what public transit really does—it serves your friends and neighbors.”
The secretary reported on several DOT accomplishments during his four-year tenure, including the creation of more than 350 miles of new rail and Bus Rapid Transit, initiating 40 major capital public transit projects, and purchasing hundreds of railcars and thousands of clean-fuel buses. He credited these actions with helping to create jobs and revitalize American manufacturing.
Further, LaHood said, DOT made significant progress in instituting new safety measures that “make transit as safe as it can possibly be” and in reducing the amount of time required to launch New Starts, in response to one of the biggest criticisms he faced when he took office in January 2009.
“We took on that challenge and greatly reduced the amount of time for New Starts. Unfortunately, now there’s no money,” he added.
“I wish I could say that the future is as bright in terms of funding as it has been in the last four years,” LaHood continued. Further, he asserted that not only does MAP-21 fund public transportation at lower levels than DOT had requested, it also authorizes funding for only two years instead of five.
MAP-21 expires in September 2014, and LaHood encouraged conference attendees to advocate for improvements to the next version of the legislation by informing members of Congress that their constituents want more public transit, not less.
LaHood also touched on one of the conference’s hottest topics: sequestration, which cut federal spending nearly across the board, including $117 million from DOT.
“The debate underway isn’t about worth; it’s about how we pay for it,” he said. “There’s no question that we have to get our [fiscal] house in order, but not with a meat axe. That’s what sequester is. Let’s do it thoughtfully. We can have public transportation as a priority and still have balanced budgets.”
LaHood cited his former experience as a Republican congressman from Illinois who worked with the Clinton administration to develop bipartisan balanced budgets.
The secretary concluded his remarks by offering advice to the next secretary. “Get along with Congress. Every member of the House represents 700,000 to 800,000 people—plus, the House controls the money,” he said. “We’ve gone out of our way to be cooperative with members of Congress who want to cooperate, but we need resources. Charge up there. You put these people in Congress. They listen to you,” he encouraged the crowd, which responded with a standing ovation, the second of his address.
Following LaHood’s remarks, APTA Chair Flora Castillo and APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy presented him with a framed proclamation to express APTA’s appreciation for his tireless leadership on behalf of public transportation. In part, the proclamation reads: “Whereas during Secretary LaHood’s time in office, public transportation has had a high profile within U.S. DOT, and has been positioned as an increasingly vital component of a balanced, forward-looking transportation system for America,” APTA and its “Board of Directors recognizes U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for his extraordinary accomplishments during his time in office." |
