NEW ORLEANS, LA. — The American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) released an updated report making the case for investment in the public transportation industry by detailing the enormous growth in ridership, service provided, and funding levels. The report, “The Case for Business Investment in Public Transportation,” reinforces that there has been a steady growth trend over the past three decades and it is now a $55 billion industry. The data in this report point to an even more prominent future standing.

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) announced the election of its 2011-2012 officers. 

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — CG/LA Infrastructure LLC announced the results of its annual survey of public- and private-sector executives on the U.S. infrastructure market. Overall, the scores suggest that the United States is falling into second-rate status in the infrastructure arena, becoming a country that does not attract top-flight expertise or resources to its infrastructure business. In particular, responses on questions about leadership and vision yielded lower scores than any previously surveyed country.

  AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Texas Transportation Commission approved distribution of $3 billion in Proposition 12 bond funding that will address congested highways, rehabilitate bridges, and improve connectivity between the state’s metropolitan areas. 

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Public transportation’s value as a solution to relieving congestion was validated once again by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) 2011 Urban Mobility Report. The report looks at road congestion in 439 U.S. urban areas and notes that relieving congestion will be critical to keep up with job growth as the economy rebounds. As in past years, the data overwhelmingly shows the importance of public transportation in relieving congestion.