Money forthcoming for public transit. Maybe.
Last week, the House Transportation Committee passed the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act (HR 6052). At a time of record high gas prices – Hartford and Chicago are in the $4 gallon range with the national average not far behind – the bill would authorize $1.7 billion in grant funding for public transit.
The bill recognizes that some 37 million metric tones of carbon dioxide are saved annually by the 10.3 billion public transit trips Americans took in 2007. And, as a daily public transit rider myself, I appreciate the estimated annual cost-savings of $6,251 (as per the American Public Transportation Association).
The grant funding is broken out thusly: $750 million for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for urbanized areas and $100 million for non-urbanized areas.
The grants could be used by public transit agencies to reduce fares and/or for capital improvements and expansion. At a time when so many transit agencies are facing drastic budget shortfalls, this bill is good news – should it pass and should the authorization be fully funded. Were the bill to pass, there is a good chance for full funding since the sponsor – Rep. James Oberstar – is the chair of the Transportation Committee and has a good relationship with Rep. James Olver, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation.
Besides the grant funding, the bill also would increase the federal match for "clean fuel or alternative fuel vehicle-related equipment or facilities" such as buses and ferries.
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