Statement of Tri-State Transportation Campaign Executive Director Veronica Vanterpool on the region’s transit systems recovery from Superstorm Sandy and planning for future storms:

A year after Superstorm Sandy devastated the tri-state region, we are seeing a stronger regional vision of resiliency emerge. The storm exposed our region’s vulnerabilities, especially those of aging and fiscally-challenged transit systems. Preparation for the next storm requires more investment in transit and policies that encourage multi-modal mobility.

Addressing the vulnerabilities of our transit systems should be a key priority for all local, state and federal elected leaders in the years ahead. Our region lost hundreds of millions of dollars in economic productivity and revenue because transit was not running. Thanks to the support of our Congressional and Senate leaders, the tri-state region received significant federal recovery funds. Now it is incumbent on state and local leaders to find resources for the remaining needs. Governor Cuomo of New York, Governor Christie of New Jersey, and Governor Malloy of Connecticut must ensure that the region’s transit agencies — particularly the MTA, N.J. Transit, and PATH — will be able to tackle these challenges in future capital programs.

A more resilient transit system cannot be built in a year; it’s a multi-year, multi-billion dollar effort that requires continued and dedicated capital investment. We hope the region’s elected leaders will find the resources to address those needs identified in the transit agencies’ existing and future capital programs.