New study shows $1 billion investment in public transportation yields 30,000 jobs.

April 29, 2009
American Public Transportation Association

WASHINGTON, DC – A new study released today shows that investing in public transportation provides jobs to the American workers who may need them the most.  Job Impacts of Spending on Public Transportation: an Update shows that two-thirds (67 percent) of the jobs created by capital investment in the public transit industry replaces lost blue-collar jobs with “green jobs” in the public transit sector.  The Economic Development Research Group prepared the study for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).  

Overall, the study shows an investment of one billion dollars in public transportation supports and creates 30,000 jobs in a variety of sectors.  Based on these projections, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which provides $8.4 billion for public transportation projects, will create approximately 252,000 jobs for Americans and help transit systems meet the steadily growing demand for public transit services.  APTA released the study at the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing Recovery Act: 10-Week Progress Report for Transportation and Infrastructure Programs.

Link to Press Release

The Governors of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsion, along with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley have written a letter to US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MWRRI).

Link to letter (.pdf)

Press Release
March 24, 2009

AMTRAK DETAILS STIMULUS PROJECTS
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help rebuild equipment and infrastructure, improve safety and security nationwide

WASHINGTON—Amtrak has released a list of capital projects to be funded by $1.3 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration, the highlights of the list include railcar and locomotive restoration to augment the current fleet, projects to bring stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), facility improvements, track, bridge and signal replacements and upgrades.

“These Amtrak projects fulfill all of the objectives of the ARRA, and more. They are ‘shovel-ready;’ they will improve the efficiency and accessibility of Amtrak trains and facilities; and we estimate they will result in the retention or creation of approximately 6,000 jobs,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph H. Boardman. “It is extremely encouraging to see the direction our country is taking to improve our national mobility, reduce our dependence on imported energy and make a stronger, healthier passenger rail system.”

This document features more than a dozen letters of support from various organizations along the proposed NLX route.
Download complete PDF copy here

Supporters include:

Pine Medical Center

Welsh Companies