Statement of U.S. PIRG Staff Attorney John
Krieger
On behalf of the
coalition of consumer, environmental and transit advocacy organizations that
support this legislation, I applaud Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Oberstar,
Representative Mica and the other champions of The Saving Energy Through Public
Transportation Act. This bill will reduce America’s dependence on oil by
giving Americans more transportation choices.
Our dependence
on oil has become increasingly painful for American families, who are now
spending close to 100 dollars a week on gasoline. That spending has increased almost 40 percent
in the last five months, and household spending on transportation is now the
second highest expense for the average family--more than food, clothing, even
healthcare.
Reducing our
nation’s dependence on oil requires long-term solutions like this bill that
make it easier for Americans to drive less by increasing access to public
transportation. Modern buses, light
rail, commuter rail and other forms of mass transit move passengers more
efficiently with less fuel. U.S. PIRG research shows that public transportation
saves consumers close to 14 billion dollars at the pump at today’s prices.
Rising gas
prices are getting people out of their cars in record numbers, and investments
like this give them a better and cheaper way to go.
We applaud this
legislation for its rare combination of practicality and vision. This bill represents
an understanding that we can’t kick our oil addiction without driving less, and
we can’t drive less without better transportation alternatives.
We strongly urge the Senate to take up this legislation
immediately.
