Washington, D.C. – Representatives Reid Ribble (WI-08) and Tom Petri (WI-06) helped introduce H.R. 3545, Transit System Flexibility Protection Act of 2011. This legislation will make sure transit systems, such as Green Bay Metro and Valley Transit, will not lose much-needed operating assistance due to their respective urbanized areas that cross over the 200,000 population threshold from the 2010 census.

“Many people depend on Green Bay Metro and Valley Transit and this bill will help make sure that these important transportation services are not disbanded,” said Ribble. “Congressman Petri and I have heard from many citizens back home who have voiced their concerns about stringent and arbitrary provisions that would decrease access to public transportation. This legislation addresses these concerns and we will remain committed to this effort of protecting public transit in our districts.”

"Because of the latest census, current law says Valley Transit and Green Bay Metro have to be considered 'big city' bus systems like those in Chicago and New York City,” said Petri. “That, of course, is absurd, and it's a pretty stupid reason to not let these very small systems use federal funds for needed operating assistance.  Our bill will make the federal transit grant formulas make sense again."

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