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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is urging the Senate to restore $50 million in transit security grants recently cut by the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee.

In fiscal-year 2005, Congress provided $150 million in transit security grants. When the subcommittee approved the FY2006 homeland security appropriations bill last week, it reduced security grants to $100 million.

"APTA is very concerned about the impact of this $50 million cut and the consequences it will have for our nation’s transit security," said APTA President William Millar in a prepared statement. "This is a step backward in our efforts to ensure the safety and security of all Americans."

Last year, results from an APTA survey showed that U.S. public transit systems need $6 billion during the next several years to improve security.