[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING THE FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

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                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Fort 
Worth Transportation Authority of Fort Worth, Texas on being recognized 
by the Federal Transit Administration with the 2008 Ridership Award.
  The Federal Transit Administration Ridership Awards honor transit 
systems that have substantially increased their ridership over the past 
five years through a variety of methods and improvements. The awards 
acknowledge the industry's commitment to excellence. The Fort Worth 
Transportation Authority is one of four agencies recognized that 
service an area with a population between 200,000 and 1 million people.
  The Fort Worth Transportation Authority's bus system, known as ``The 
T,'' has experienced a significant increase in ridership since the 
agency executed an advertising campaign aimed at automobile commuters. 
The effective campaign's goal used fuel prices to show commuters the 
cost of driving to work by car compared to the cost of using The T 
system. Additionally, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority partnered 
with the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) and Texas 
Christian University (TCU) to promote public transportation use among 
students of all ages. Fort Worth school teachers were provided with 
free day passes for field trips, and all TCU faculty, staff and 
students, as well as FWISD ninth graders, were given a free annual 
transit pass. The actions taken by the Fort Worth Transportation 
Authority improved student ridership and established the convenience of 
public transportation with the future labor force.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I stand here today to 
recognize the Fort Worth Transportation Authority for receiving this 
honor. Their diligence and commitment to promoting public transit 
benefits both the community and the environment, and I sincerely hope 
other agencies follow their example.

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