LaTourette introduces bipartisan bill to help public transportation
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
U.S. Reps. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) and Russ Carnahan
(D-MO) have introduced legislation that would permit public
transit agencies more flexibility in how they spend federal funds
during tough economic times.
LaTourette said transit agencies like RTA and Laketran are
working to serve their ridership and face obstacles like
unpredictable fuel prices, route reductions and fare
increases. Last year, more than 10 billion trips were made on
public transit across the nation.
The Local Flexibility for Transit Assistance Act, H.R.3200, will
allow public transit agencies to use some of their federal transit
funding for operating expenses. Under current law, if a
transit agency is located in an area with a population above
200,000, it may not use federal funds for operating assistance.
"Americans are tightening their belts to make their household
budgets work in a tough economy, but the federal government won't
let some transit agencies use funds as needed to get them through
these rough, unpredictable times," LaTourette said. "What's the
point in having a fleet of buses if you can't fill up the
tanks? A rigid firewall for federal operating assistance may
work with a booming economy with low unemployment, but flexibility
is called for in times of economic crisis."
H.R. 3200 includes this language in its findings:
"According to the American Public Transportation Association, over
the past 2 years, 84 percent of transit systems have raised fares,
cut service, or are considering either of these measures in the
near future. Additionally, over the same period of time,
transit systems across the country have seen a 56-percent reduction
in rush hour service, a 62-percent reduction in off-peak service,
and a 40-percent reduction in geographic coverage leaving thousands
of transit drivers without a job."
LaTourette said the bill also provides increased flexibility for
smaller transit systems in urban areas with over 200,000 people
that operate less than 100 buses. The bill does not create a
new revenue stream for transit agencies and has no cost, he
said.
The bill, with nearly110 co-sponsors, is supported by the
following organizations: Transportation for America;
Amalgamated Transportation Union; Transportation Trades Department,
AFL-CIO; The Community Transportation Association of America;
Reconnecting America; The Transportation Equity Network; The
Gamaliel Foundation; and Public Advocates, Inc.