APTA-organized day of action and engagement will take place on Tuesday, December 15 

New Orleans (December 15, 2020) – The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is joining fellow APTA members and industry partners on Tuesday, December 15 to collectively fight to #SavePublicTransit with a day of mobilization and engagement. 

“The transit industry is at a pivotal moment in history,” said Alex Z. Wiggins, RTA CEO. “The RTA has maintained operations throughout the pandemic, providing critical services to frontline employees and residents across the city. Without additional aid, we face the tough reality of potentially reducing service and personnel to sustain a reduced level of mobility in the city. It is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure continuity in our services for those who rely on public transit.” 

Organized by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), #SavePublicTransit Day will shine the light on the dire financial crisis facing the public transportation industry and urge elected officials to take immediate action. 

“Immediate action needs to be taken to address the public transportation industry’s dire financial situation so that we can continue to serve essential employees every day and can help with the nation’s economic recovery,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “The industry’s very survival is at stake.” 

It is critical that Congress move forward and provide emergency funding for public transit in the lame duck session before Congress recesses for the holiday. The industry is calling on Congress and the Administration to provide at least $32 billion in emergency funding to ensure that public transit agencies can survive and help our communities and nation recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic. 

Without at least $32 billion in emergency funding for the industry, RTA potentially faces service reductions in 2021. The agency has maintained operations throughout the pandemic but with dwindling sales tax revenues and low ridership additional measures must be taken. 

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