The late President Lyndon Johnson was born on August 27, 1908. Many remember him for succeeding President John F. Kennedy after his assassination in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Others remember him for his domestic Great Society Program, which included civil rights, medicare, medicaid, the war on poverty and public broadcasting. There was also foreign policy, most notably, the Vietnam War.
Few remember that the success of public transportation can be traced back to one of President Johnson's greatest accomplishments that continues to benefit many Americans today. On July 9, 1964, he signed the "Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964" into law. Subsequently, this has resulted in the investment of several hundred billion dollars into public transportation under grants from the Federal Transit Administration (prior to 1991 known as the Urban Mass Transit Administration).
Millions of Americans today utilize various public transportation alternatives. They include local and express bus, ferry, jitney, light rail, subway and commuter rail services.
Investment in public transportation today contributes to economic growth, employment and a stronger economy. Dollar-for-dollar, it is one of the best investments we can make.
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Larry Penner is a transportation historian and advocate who previously worked 31 years for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office. This included the development, review, approval and oversight for grants supporting billions in capital projects and programs on behalf of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Transit bus and subway, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, MTA Bus and NYC Department of Transportation.
