Many transit advocates are working to ensure that public transportation receives more funding in the federal economic stimulus plan. Right now, transit is slated to receive $9 billion, just 1% of the total package, even though bus and rail systems across the country are busting at the seams.
The current House bill omits funding for transit operations altogether. T4 America, a national coalition working towards a more balanced transportation policy, has new maps showing 38 communities across the nation where transit agencies face job cuts, service reductions or fare hikes. For more on this, see John Kaehny’s piece on streetsblog.org, “Hire a Construction Worker, Fire a Bus Driver?”
Other Congressmembers are trying to secure additional resources for transit. An amendment to the bill by Rep. Peter DeFazio includes $2 billion for transit energy efficiency grants for transit capital and operations. An amendment by Rep. Jerrold Nadler is being proposed this week that would add $3 billion for transit capital, bringing the total up to $12 billion.
The House Rules Committee will vote tomorrow on whether to allow these amendments to reach the House floor, and T4America has urged citizens to take action on their website today.
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With gas prices on the rise,and our depencncy or forgien oil. I for one do not understand while more is not put into public transportation. I hate it that it more expensive to ride public transporation than it is to drive you’re personal car. If public transporation was made more afforable, I’m sure that more people would use it. I would love to relax,and let some eles do the driving, while saving the enviorment at the same time.
It also a shame that in the nothwest that Amtrack does not have it own rail. My friend who took Amtrack said, he could have gotten there faster on his bicycle then he did on Amtack.
Instead of building roads let build rails, that will transport people and cause less wear and tear on the enviorment.
Wake up floks if the enviorment go down the tubes , we all go wheather we have a stimuls package or not.