| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: | CONTACT: Jesse Jacobs |
| Wednesday, March 6, 2002 | 202-224-4524 |
SARBANES ANNOUNCES HEARING ON THE STATE OF
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA
WILL EXAMINE SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES FACING TRANSIT
AS COMMITTEE PREPARES FOR REAUTHORIZATION
OF THE "TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY"
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY MINETA TO APPEAR
Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, the Chairman of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, has announced that the full Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the state of public transportation in America. In 1998, legislation was enacted - the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) - which provided for significant investments in surface transportation programs, including mass transit. In preparation for next year's reauthorization of TEA-21, the Committee and the Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation, chaired by Senator Jack Reed, will review the successes and challenges facing transit in a series of hearings.
Transit ridership has increased by 21% over the last five years. The Committee will consider this growing demand for transit in communities across the nation and the need for continued investment in transit programs in light of this demand, as well as the progress made under TEA-21 in meeting our nation's transportation challenges, and the outlook for the future of the Federal transit program.
"A strong investment in our nation's transit systems is essential to America's economic growth and an enhancement to our quality of life," said Sarbanes. "Safe and efficient transit systems provide significant benefits both to transit riders and to others in the community."
The hearing will be held:
10:00 A.M.
538 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
Scheduled to appear before the Committee are:
- The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta -- Secretary, Department of Transportation;
- Mr. William Millar - President, American Public Transportation Association;
- Mr. Dale Marsico - Executive Director, Community Transportation Association; and
- Mr. John Inglish - General Manager, Utah Transit Authority.
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