At a time of increased traffic congestion, rising oil prices, declining reserves, and heightened concerns over energy dependency and global warming, Congress is poised to debate how federal and state authorities will spend hundreds of billions of taxpayers’ dollars on surface transportation throughout the nation up through the year 2015.

Nearly 150 national, state, and local community and advocacy organizations from across the political spectrum signed letters urging Congress to make historic changes in our nation’s transportation policies and – for the first time in the transportation bill’s 50-year history – to prioritize projects that will make it easier for Americans to drive less, rather than more. Click here to see who has signed onto our principles.

Our current transportation system has many of us stuck endlessly waiting in traffic, while we pollute our air and consume expensive, foreign oil. But our government has spent nine times more on highway projects than on public transportation. As nationwide transit ridership and gas prices reach record highs, the time is right to change the imbalance in our transportation system. CALPIRG is dedicated to working with our allies across the country to create a 21st century transportation system for America at the national level. 

Light rail, clean bus systems, and other public transit should play a greater part in California’s transportation future. Efficient public transportation systems reduce the number of cars on the road and increase our options for getting around.

We’re working for more and better transit by encouraging public support for new projects and improved service and asking Congress to invest in solving long-term transportation problems by funding public transportation.