Don't X out Public Transit - Template Release

Day of Event Press Release Template: Please Localize For Immediate Release Contact: (Local Spokesperson) September 20, 2011

As Authorization Deadline Approaches Supporters Hold Rallies to Tell Congress: Don’t X Out Public Transportation Nationwide rally day aims to highlight the importance and need for safe, reliable public transportation across America

City, State - With ten days left until the latest extension of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) is set to expire, public transportation supporters have gathered across the country to speak out against proposed cuts of more than one third to federal funding for public transportation and all surface transportation programs. Transit supporters have designated today as “Don’t X Out Public Transportation Day” as a way to address a proposal currently in the U.S. House of Representatives to drastically cut highway and public transportation funding.

These cuts, if enacted will have the potential to profoundly impact local public transit riders who depend on these systems to get them to and from work, while also penalizing commuters looking for alternatives to congested, traffic filled roads. The proposed cuts would result in {Provide local example including things like service delays, over-crowding, fare increases and cutbacks to the number of vehicles running in local communities and etc}. The cuts would also effect {City/Region} and the entire country’s ability to create and sustain jobs- further hampering efforts to move America’s economy forward.

“Safe and reliable transportation is at risk,” said (Insert local spokesperson’s name). “Without federal investment in our nation’s public transit systems the millions of Americans who depend on it every day may be left with longer wait times, overcrowding and decreased services. Now is the time for our government to be investing in public transportation and our infrastructure, not cutting.”

Organizers of the day say cuts this drastic will mean significant job loss in both the public and private sectors. In addition access to quality local public transportation will impact the millions of Americans who rely on it to get to and from work each day. It is estimated that 614,000 public transportation jobs could be lost over the next six years if a funding cut this extreme takes place, and {XXX} of those jobs would be from {State}.

To combat the impact of these cuts, transit supporters formed a diverse coalition of public transit interests to participate in “Don’t X Out Public Transit Day.” Participants include: Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Los Angeles Bus Riders Union, National Association of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA), Reconnecting America, the Transportation Equity Network, Transportation for America (T4), Transportation Riders for Public Transportation, Transport Workers Union (TWU), Urban Habitat and everyday public transit riders. This national rally day and call to action highlights the severe effects cut of more than one third to federal transit funding would have.

Rallies and events are taking place across the country today to show Congress America supports investment in public transportation. According to APTA for every one dollar invested in public transportation, four dollars in economic returns is generated- and every $1 billion invested in public transportation creates or supports 36,000 jobs.

“As the country looks for ways to strengthen our economy for this generation, and those to follow, investment in public transit provides a sustainable solution,” said (local spokesperson). # # #