THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF WEST VIRGINIA CONGRESSWOMAN SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO.

WASHINGTON – With the support of Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee this week approved legislation that will expand incentives for federal employees to utilize public transportation for their commute.

"Since implementing the mass transit initative for federal employees in the national capital region, more than 15,000 cars have been eliminated from area roads and 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide have been eliminated from the region's air," said Capito. "Expanding the reach of this program to federal employees throughout the nation is a prudent way to cut down on traffic, promote conservation and reduce emissions to protect our environment."

Many federal employees living in West Virginia's eastern panhandle currently utilize the mass transit program in their commute to and from Washington, DC.

In a recent letter to members of the House Appropriations Committee, Capito urged her colleagues to approve additional funding for the federal mass transit program.

"By improving employee access to alternate transit options, this proposal offers the added benefit of reducing on-site parking costs, relieving traffic congestion, and improving air quality," she wrote.

The Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008 passed through committee by voice vote, and will now go to the full House for consideration.