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."
To learn more about the new legislation, click
here.
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