Congress Agrees to Keep Transit Operating Aid in War Bill

transit08_300.jpg(Photo: Model D Media)

House
and Senate negotiators struck a deal last night on a $106 billion war
spending bill that also gives cash-strapped transit agencies the
ability to use 10 percent of their economic stimulus grants to pay operating costs.

The issue of operating costs has heated up in recent weeks, with local transit officials supporting federal aid as a step towards more equitable funding consideration of all transportation modes.

Critics
of the idea contend that it is disingenuous to bill stimulus money for
transit operating as a short-term response to the economic recession —
or as Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) put it last week, "there is nothing more
permanent than a temporary government program."

But despite
Latham’s skepticism, the deal is done. The final version of the war
spending bill, with the transit operating aid provision intact, is
expected to become law as soon as next week.

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Carnahan Steps Up Push For Federal Help With Transit Operating

By Elana Schor |
While lawmakers maneuver to fill local transit agencies’ operating budget gaps with economic stimulus cash, Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) is taking it a step further with a proposal that would make federal operating aid permanent — and use it as an incentive to spur more state-level funding as well as emissions reductions. Rep. Russ Carnahan […]
STREETSBLOG USA

Transit Operating Aid Bill Doesn’t Fly With Major D.C. Transit Group

By Elana Schor |
A burgeoning congressional push to let urban transit agencies tap federal funds for operating their systems is not sitting well with the transit industry’s largest D.C. lobbying group, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). A rail car from New York City’s transit authority, one of APTA’s biggest members. (Photo: TreeHugger) Paul Dean, APTA’s government relations […]