Transportation for Livable Communities3

Transportation for Livable Communities of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Transportation Issues Update

Friday, February 27, 2004

SUMMARY AND FOLLOW-UP

Thanks to all who were able to attend the Transportation Issues Update. I encourage you to sign on to the Transportation for Livable Communities 2004 Federal and State Transportation Action Campaign. The Campaign is your vehicle for taking action on regional, state, and federal transportation issues. The sign-up sheet includes a second page where you can submit your comments on the issues discussed (see summary below) as well as other transportation-related issues and projects of concern to you and your organization. A copy of the sign-up sheet, the Power Point presentations, and all handout materials are available by clicking here.

The following action items were included in the packet. I encourage you to follow-through on them. Please contact me with any questions.

1.       Alliance for a New Transportation Charter (ANTC) endorsement form/Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP)
          policy positions for reauthorization of the federal transportation bill (TEA-21). See
          http://www.transact.org/ANTC/about.asp and http://www.transact.org/report.asp?id=203 for further information.

Signing the charter will allow you or your organization to take action on the renewal of the federal transportation legislation (TEA-21)

2. Pennsylvania Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (PAPTA) policy platform

The endorsement of the platform by you or your organization will allow you to participate in the development of a stable and reliable source of state funding for public transportation. A copy of the platform is available at:

3. American Public Transportation Association (APTA’s) Transit Action Center

Please see http://www.apta.com/transitaction/ on how to take action for public transportation in the renewal of the federal transportation bill (TEA-21)

Summary of issues discussed:

1. TEA-21 Reauthorization

Status of federal bill:
An overview of the development of the reauthorization of the federal transportation bill for highways and transit (Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century) due 9/30/03 was presented. The proposed bill by the administration - Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act was proposed at $247 billion (now at $256 billion) for a six-year period. The Senate bill also called SAFETEA (SB 1072) was approved in February at $318 billion for a six-year period. The House bill, Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU) has been proposed at $375 billion for a six-year period.

It is now being reported that the White House might be willing to go higher than its proposed $256 billion, but its offer is considered well below what House Committee leaders believe is necessary to move a bill. Markup of the House bill is now expected later this month, assuming some agreement on the funding level can be reached.

Last week, a two-month extension of TEA-21 was enacted, setting April 30 as the new expiration date.

Other presentation topics:
The five key Surface Transportation Policy Project Coalition priorities were identified and discussed:

1.    Increase MPO planning funds
2.    Increase dollars for stormwater mitigation projects
3.    Safe Routes to Schools
4.    Freight and rail passenger needs
5.    Transportation and Community and System Preservation (TCSP) Pilot Project Program

Several issues of concern to STPP and their partners on specific legislative matters were reviewed. The first is the social equity agenda. A letter was sent to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in December 2003 by the Congressional Hispanic, Black, and Asian Pacific Caucuses to address social equity. Details on the letter are found in the presentation slides handout.

Transportation for Livable Communities has coordinated with the Pittsburgh Transportation Equity Project (PTEP) to address social equity issues. These efforts also include coordination with the Access to Work Task Force to ensure transportation for persons making the transition from welfare to work. PTEP is currently conducting community forums on Access to Work. Contact Fred Brown at fb_ptep@yahoo.com or 412/325-1616 for further information. A primary source of funding for Access to Work is the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program. The recommendations of the Access Coalition were also discussed and are identified in the presentation handout included in the packet.

Another key legislative initiative is the "Metropolitan Congestion Relief Act" (H.R. 3611), which was introduced late last year by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson from the Dallas area. The bill has seven proposals to address congestion in our cities and regions, increased funding to attach localized congestion needs. A handout describing these proposals was included in the information packet.

TLC will provide updates on the status of the TEA-21 Reauthorization as news becomes available and Action Alerts to contact legislators to express support or opposition on legislative proposals. Please also see STPP’s website www.transact.org for the Transact newsletter.

2. Status/Update of 2005-2008 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The TIP testimony letter submitted by Sustainable Pittsburgh/Transportation for Livable Communities was reviewed. There were five key areas identified in the letter that focused on funding mechanisms that promote transportation alternatives and methodologies to improve public involvement in the regional transportation planning process. This process is overseen by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the ten county Pittsburgh region. A copy of the letter is available at:

The status of the development of the TIP was presented. Further details are available in the presentation handout. The Transportation Enhancements application process and status is included in the presentation handout.

Transportation for Livable Communities will attend the public workshops in May to review the draft TIP. TLC will also monitor the status and implementation of the Transportation Enhancements applications.

3. Public Transportation Funding Crisis

An overview of the platform developed by the Pennsylvania Alliance for Public Transportation Advocates to develop a stable and reliable source of state funding for public transportation was discussed. Peter Javsicas of Pennsylvanians for Transportation Solutions (PenTrans) discussed “Transit Innovations for a Balanced Statewide System” a forum held on the previous night. He highlighted the interest expressed by Sharon Daboin, PENNDOT Deputy Secretary for Aviation, Rail Freight, and Public Transportation, in addressing the public transportation funding crisis.

Transportation for Livable Communities discussed the next steps in addressing the public transportation funding crisis. TLC attended both the House and Senate hearings for the proposed Fiscal Year 2004/05 PENNDOT budget. Meetings with several representatives were held, including John Maher who is a member of both the Appropriations and Transportation Committees. Representative Don Walko, a member of the Appropriations Committee, also called to express his support for the platform, particularly the Transit Oriented Development concepts.

4. Safe Routes to Schools

The following issues were discussed:

1. The four models used to implement Safe Routes to Schools

2. The Safe Routes to Schools programs established by STPP in California and New Mexico

3. The status and proposed Senate and House funding for the proposed federal Safe Routes to Schools bill,
Pedestrian and Cyclist Equity Act (PACE)

4. The Allegheny County Safe Kids project, Walk This Way 2003

5. LeAnn Chaney of Livable Indiana Neighborhood Connections - Indiana Borough Safe Routes to School program
and the Blairsville Improvement Groups Main Street program

6. The Elk County Healthy Eating and Increased Physical Activity Pilot Project

7. PENNDOT’s Fiscal Year 2004/05 budget proposal for Safe Routes to Schools and Hometown Streets

8.     An overview of the programs sponsored by the Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA)
        presented by Laurie Whitsel of the American Heart Association and PANA board member. A copy of the
        slides distributed by Laurie are available here.