APTA calls on Trump, Congress to open USDOT

The partial government shutdown — now in its 30th day — is "substantially impacting" the operations or capital programs of more than a third of public transit agencies, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

As a result of the shutdown, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is not able to execute grants, cooperative agreements or contracts. Transit agencies, which rely on grants to support operations and capital projects, are not receiving any reimbursements for previously approved projects and expended funds, APTA officials announced late last week.

APTA sent a letter to President Donald Trump and congressional leaders after conducting a survey Jan. 9-15, in which 36 percent of the respondents indicated the shutdown was substantially affecting their organizations. The letter calls on Trump and Congress to end their standoff and, specifically, open the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

"Agencies report cutting back service, delaying hiring, transferring capital funds to operations, using reserve funds, and other direct impacts. With each passing day, these impacts become worse," wrote APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Skoutelas and Chair David Stackrow Sr.

In addition, the shutdown "could delay certification of State Safety Oversight programs for states that have not yet received FTA certification, which is required by April 15, the letter stated.

"Similarly, commuter-rail agencies are increasingly concerned that the shutdown could affect implementation of positive train control systems," Skoutelas and Stackrow wrote.

Moreover, the shutdown is beginning to delay efforts to repair, maintain and expand needed transportation services, they said.

The U.S. public transportation industry directly employs more than 420,000 workers and contributes $71 billion to the nation's economy, according to APTA.