Below is the update from Metro’s government relations staff — Rep. Shuster’s article is also worth a read:

The new chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA) has authored an opinion article that outlines his policy goals for the 113^th Congress. The opinion article, which appeared yesterday in Congressional Quarterly, focuses on his belief that transportation is a core responsibility of the federal government and that he intends to address the ongoing shortfall facing the Highway Trust Fund. Chairman Shuster has visited our agency a number of times over the past several years. The Chairman has received briefings on the highway and transit projects in our Board-approved Long Range Transportation Plan and has had the opportunity to see many of the projects that are currently under construction. He has been a supporter of our ultimately successful effort, as part of the America Fast Forward initiative, to dramatically expand the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program during the 112^th Congress. In the coming days, months and years ahead, we look forward to effectively advancing our Board-approved federal legislative program with the Chairman and his colleagues on the committee.