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More than 700 public transportation officials descended on Washington, D.C., yesterday to urge Congress to advance federal legislation that will provide funding for public transportation in order to support and create jobs.

First on the agenda: lobbying for passage of the HIRE Act in the Senate this week, according to American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President William Millar. The HIRE Act proposes to release funding for public transportation in the 2010 appropriations bill and extend the deadline for the federal surface transportation legislation until Dec. 31, according to APTA.

Officials also are asking their congressional leaders to pass another economic stimulus jobs bill this year that will invest in public transportation and include flexibility for operating funding for public transit systems.

Although public transit officials believe the HIRE Act and jobs bill are needed stop-gap measures, they are calling for Congress to provide $123 billion over six years for public transportation to double ridership in 20 years and $50 billion for high-speed rail, according to APTA.