PR61909Senate

Charlotte, N.C. June 18, 2009 - John Muth, Deputy Director of CATS, who takes the reins of CATS as the interim CEO on July 1, will speak before the Senate Banking Committee on June 19th regarding reforming the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Starts process. As the Senate Banking Committee begins to write the next Surface Transportation Bill, the Committee is seeking input from national transit officials who recently managed New Start projects. John Muth was invited to speak because of his in-depth knowledge and experience of the New Starts process as he led the planning of CATS rapid transit system since 1998 including the design, construction and opening of the LYNX Blue Line in 2007.

CEOs of transit systems from across the country that recently opened or expanded a light rail line will also speak to the Committee. These transit systems include:

• Houston, TX
• Sacramento, CA
• Austin, TX
• Denver, CO
• New York, NY

The current transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU was enacted in 2005 with guaranteed funding for highways, highway safety, and public transportation totaling $244.1 billion and represents the largest surface transportation investment in our Nation’s history. SAFETEA-LU is set to expire in 2009. CATS has received over $93 million from SAFETEA-LU since 2005 to plan, design and construct the rapid transit system including the LYNX blue line, expand the bus fleet, build park-n-ride lots, community transit centers and other transit facilities. CATS has also received over $193 million in New Starts funding for development of the rapid transit system.

To learn more about CATS and its services call 704-336-RIDE (7433) or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.

Official City of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Government Web Site