WASHINGTON — Legislation re-introduced by two U.S. Senators seeks to increase funding for state and local transit funding to help add new routes, increase service frequency, and prevent service cuts.
The “Moving Transit Forward Act” was introduced Dec. 11, and is sponsored by Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.). Eight other Democrats are co-sponsors. It seeks to create Department of Transportation grants for operating costs and capital projects that would cover cost increases, allow for additional service, or address projects that increase safety.
“This bill will help ensure that transit agencies have the resources they need to provide consistently safe and efficient service to the millions of Americans who depend on public transit every day,” Van Hollen said in a press release. Fetterman, noting that Philadelphia’s SEPTA and Pittsburgh Regional Transit are using funds diverted from capital programs for operations, said “it’s more important than ever that we step up to provide [agencies] with the support and reliable funding they need to deliver for our communities.”
Van Hollen introduced legislation under the same name in 2024; while hearings were held by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the bill failed to advance out of committee.
The latest bill is supported labor groups including the Transportation Trades Division of the AFL-CIO, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Transport Workers Union, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
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Well transit can siphon from the same source (the Treasury) as the bankrupt highways use to procure dollars for their endlessly expanding network. What’s that up to now??? Over $200 Billion??
As Ann Landers would say, “Wake up and smell the coffee”. To which I say, “Wake up and smell the diesel fumes”. I don’t know if the federal role in local transit will maintain at its current level. But I do know this: It isn’t going to increase.
Public transportation is in deep, deep trouble in this country. I have no clue how the various local transit authorities are going to balance the books. But I’m here to tell you this: it won’t be from more federal funding.
State and local taxes are maxxed out. The taxpayers aren’t going to want to pay more. The federals print money so Washington doesn’t need to tax. Federal grants count as “revenue” in balancing state and local budgets. Which is what I call accounting fraud.