STPP President Anne P. Canby Statement on Federal Transportation Bill

Calls on State & Local Leaders to Deliver Real Travel Options to the Public

July 29, 2005

For Information Contact:
Anne Canby at 202/974-5135 or Kevin McCarty, 202/974-5138

We applaud Congress for “staying the course” on existing federal transportation policy by keeping faith with the core principles set fort in the landmark 1991 ISTEA law. In reaching a final agreement, Congressional transportation leaders often drew upon the best features of the House and Senate proposals as the STPP coalition recommended.

Highway industry leaders have proclaimed that ‘we have squeezed every penny we could from the negotiations.’ State and local transportation leaders should now do the same by squeezing every penny to deliver real travel options, healthier and safer communities, and better performance from existing facilities and services.

Despite committed efforts within Congress, we are disappointed that Congress chose not to augment commitments to local decision-makers, raise transit’s share of total funding, increase eligibility for freight and passenger rail investment, improve the environment by dedicating resources to cleaning up highway runoff, and promote more walking and bicycling through a national policy on complete streets and guaranteed funding (i.e. Fair Share) under the legislation’s new safety program.

Unfortunately, Congress also missed several opportunities to help families deal with rising gas prices, curb the nation’s growing oil dependency and accelerate efforts to reduce climate altering emissions. The leadership for these and other critical issues now shifts to governors, mayors, county executives and other elected officials who must now make better transportation choices for transit, walking, bicycling, freight movement, and land use and development in their communities and regions. It is time for them to step up and show they are up to the task.

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The Surface Transportation Policy Project, a national non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1991, is a diverse, nationwide coalition working to ensure safer communities and smarter transportation choices that enhance the economy, improve public health, promote social equity, and protect the environment.

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