New Watchdog Group to Hold Transportation Department Accountable for Poor Track Record, Bad Policies

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Center for Transportation Policy (CTP) announced its launch as a new think tank and government watchdog dedicated to keeping America—and its economy—moving. The announcement comes as Amtrak’s operations are melting down on the East Coast, road fatalities remain high, and the federal government’s air travel regulations are threatening to become a hidden tax on passengers. 

CTP was founded to advocate for policies that will keep the country’s transportation systems operating effectively—whether on the road, through the air, via train, or on the water. The group evaluates policies with an emphasis on public safety and the free market, while holding the U.S. Department of Transportation accountable.

“The Biden administration continues to push bad transportation policies that will backfire on consumers while spending billions of taxpayer dollars with little to show for it,” said Jackson Shedelbower, executive director of the Center for Transportation Policy. “It’s clear the Department of Transportation is falling down on the job as bridges crumble, trains derail, and infrastructure projects are moving at a snail’s pace.”

As part of the launch, the group also released a new video pulling back the curtain on new airline regulations being implemented by the Department of Transportation. The new rules will act as a hidden travel tax on consumers while squeezing passengers into a one-size-fits-all travel experience. Watch the explainer video here.

More broadly, CTP will focus on four key areas:

• Government Watchdog: The U.S. Department of Transportation is charged “to deliver the world’s leading transportation system, serving the American people and economy through the safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement of people and goods.” But sometimes the agency gets it wrong and needs to be held accountable. CTP is its watchdog.
  
• Infrastructure: The U.S. transportation system is only as good as the country’s roads, bridges, ports, and navigation systems. Smart, targeted investment in a strong, reliable, and modern travel infrastructure is needed to keep the economy running smoothly and get passengers from “Point A” to “Point B” safely. This includes maintaining highways, modernizing air traffic control systems, restoring bridges, and renovating ports to meet the needs of a twenty-first century economy while prioritizing safety.
  
• Government Regulations: Smart government regulations are needed to ensure safe and reliable transportation systems. But too often, policymakers go overboard with red tape—tripping up businesses and consumers in the process. Organizations representing transportation companies, travelers, and other stakeholders should have a seat at the table when policymakers are considering applying new regulations or requirements onto the industry.
  
• Tax Code: The country’s transportation and travel industries are responsible for trillions of dollars in economic activity annually. Some government revenue is needed to invest in travel infrastructure, but investments from private companies have a large role to play as well. Tax rates for businesses and consumers should be low and transparent.

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