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Jun
12
Increased Fed Funds Closer to Availability for Transit Operating Expenses
Filed Under Feature Stories, Government Funding, Municipal Transit, Transit Funding, Transit Trends | Leave a Comment
US House Passes H.R. 2746 to Permit Broader Use for 5307 Funds for Communities of All Sizes
A push by more than 70 house members sparked action in the US House of Representatives that has resulted in legislation that could help cash-strapped public transit agencies nationwide.
The group, led by Representatives Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Dan Lipinski (D-IL), wrote a letter in May 2009 to leaders of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee that outlined the difficulties transit agencies are having covering their operating costs, and proposed the expanded use of transit funds for operating expenses in the upcoming authorization as a practical solution. The letter was signed by over 70 House Members.
In response to this broad push for action, H.R. 2746 was passed June 11, 2009 that amends the 5307 program providing Urbanized Area Formula Grants funds. Among its provisions:
- communities of all sizes can use a portion of those funds for operating expenses
- higher percentage benefits go to smaller communities
- incentive grants to enhance state and local transit investments
- incentive grants to reduce greenhouse gases and energy use
The sponsors of this legislation are seeking to make this a part of the surface transportation authorization bill. It has been endorsed by both the Amalgamated Transit Union and T4 America.
