Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA) President Responds to $12.8 Billion Abertis-Citigroup Bid to Lease the Turnpike

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During a press conference this morning, Gov. Ed Rendell revealed that Abertis Infraestructuras SA and Citigroup Inc. won the bidding to lease Pennsylvania's greatest asset for 75 years with a cash offer of $12.8 billion. If the Legislature approves the contract to lease the Turnpike, the Governor does not plan to pursue the tolling of I-80.

Jim Runk, president of Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA), issued the following statement in response to this announcement:

"The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA) is concerned with the current state of Pennsylvania's aging infrastructure, but the Governor's solution to effectively sell our Turnpike for 75 years does not meet the needs of the transportation community at large. We continue to advocate for viable, long-term alternatives that will put the public's best interest ahead of the for-profit drive of a private entity. We remain committed to pursuing an equitable solution and to discussing any and all options for solving this statewide problem."

"We Pennsylvanians are anxious to repair our transportation infrastructure, but with the federal government planning to evaluate it on a national level in 2009, we should be leery of speeding forward with a plan that does not take federal solutions into account. If we bypass a thoughtful and transparent debate on how to best manage these necessary improvements, we risk punting the ramifications of a near-sighted solution to our children. We urge legislators to consider whether this proposed solution will truly improve travel for Pennsylvania motorists along our main artery."

About PMTA

The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association was organized to promote the common business interests of persons engaged in the motor transportation industry and is dedicated to effectively representing the concerns of the trucking industry to members, government and regulatory agencies and the general public. PMTA is further pledged to assist member companies in managing the impact of change in the trucking industry and to enhance the professional and economic growth of its members. For more information, visit http://www.pmta.org/.

Jim Runk is available for interviews and can be contacted via telephone
at 439-8333.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association

CONTACT: Jim Runk of Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association,
+1-717-439-8333

Web Site: http://www.pmta.org/

2008-05-19 17:16:24 0365718 PRNEWSWIRE