Proposals to Eliminate Federal Funding Result in 43 Percent Cut in Public Transit and Would Cost U.S

from the APTA:



Proposals to Eliminate Federal Funding Result in 43 Percent Cut in Public Transit and Would Cost U.S. Economy $227 Billion


More than 350 Organizations in Communities Across the Country Call on Congress to “Stand Up for Transportation” and Invest Long Term in the Nation’s Transportation Infrastructure

Two proposals introduced in Congress to eliminate federal funding for public transportation would be disastrous for local communities and their economies, according to a new analysis developed by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The analysis shows that proposals to cut federal funding for public transit would result, on average, in a 43 percent reduction in a community’s capital improvement funding. Overall, the loss of federal capital and operating funding would put at risk more than $227 billion in economic activity over six years.

The loss of federal funds would impact the reliability and safety of bus and train service as well as jeopardize new services and projects. Specifically:
• 38,000 buses or 57 percent of the nation’s public transit bus fleet would not be replaced.
• Overall, 66 new public transit projects​ could be stalled. Many of these projects serve as a catalyst for economic development in every region of the country.
• Rail maintenance, expansion and rail car replacement would be significantly impacted.
• Small and rural communities would be adversely affected because a greater percentage of their total funding is from the federal government.

“A lack of federal funding for my system in Denver would be devastating because in just one year it would result in a 15 percent cut in public transit service, and a $74 million cut in my budget which translates directly to job losses in both the private and public sector,” said Phillip A. Washington, APTA Chair and General Manager and CEO of Denver Regional Transportation District. “Our country has been on a vacation from investing long term in our infrastructure. That is why we are mobilizing citizens today across the country to ‘Stand Up for Transportation’. It is time to stop the madness and Congress needs to commit to investing long term in our public transit and road infrastructure.”

There are two proposals in Congress that eliminate public transit funding from the Highway Trust Fund. Under both scenarios, the association says it would be disastrous for local communities and their public transportation systems. ................(more)

http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2015/Pages/150409_Federal-Funding.aspx