SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDING FOR SECURITY AND OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEMS
WHEREAS,
the Administration and Congress have allocated significant federal resources in
making the nation’s airport facilities safer and less vulnerable to terrorist
attacks; and
WHEREAS,
16 times more Americans ride on public transportation each day than on domestic
airlines, but there is no funding (line item) in the Administration's FY05
budget for transit security, while there is $5.3 billion for aviation security;
and
WHEREAS,
the Senate Banking Committee recently approved a mark-up of the Public
Transportation Terrorism Prevention Act, which authorizes $5.2 billion for
funding of transit security initiatives directly to public transportation
systems beginning in fiscal year 2005; and
WHEREAS,
safety and security is the top priority of the public transportation industry.
Since September 11, 2001, the industry has spent $1.7 billion from its own
resources to fund security initiatives, many of which are from directives
issued by the Administration and Congress. The increasing burden to respond to
security directives requires funds from the federal government; and
WHEREAS,
public transportation systems need additional federal funding for the
ongoing cost of staffing for increased security planning, surveillance, patrols
and response to alert notifications; for the development and delivery of
internal security programs; for participation in established security programs
external to transit agencies; internal and inter-agency emergency preparedness
drills; and for national and regional security workshops/symposiums through
government, industry and partnered initiatives,
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors urges
the Administration and Congress to provide federal funding immediately and
directly to transit agencies and local authorities and for the Administration
to include a line item in the budget for transit security.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 