The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gives U.S. public transportation infrastructure a “D” in its 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, and that grade should instill a sense of urgency for increased investment in the sector, said APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy.

The rating is virtually unchanged from four years ago, the last time ASCE examined the state of America’s infrastructure. The report, Failure to Act, the Impact of Current Infrastructure Investment on America’s Economic Future, was released March 19.

“I want to commend ASCE for highlighting the need for urgent investment in our nation’s public transportation infrastructure in its report,” ­Melaniphy said. “The report shows that there are devastating consequences to our ­economy and to our mobility when we do not make investing in America’s infrastructure a priority.”

According to the report, the U.S. economy lost $90 billion in 2010 due to the lack of investment in public transportation. Although public transit ridership increased by 9.1 percent over the past decade, ASCE reports, 45 percent of Americans still lack access to public transit.

“How many more reports do we need to tell us that we must make investing in America’s infrastructure a priority?” asked Melaniphy. “Our country must get serious about investing in infrastructure, including public transportation. APTA strongly supports ASCE’s message that our country must act now to invest in the nation’s infrastructure.”

The full text of the report is available here.