A new bill introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) would fix federal funding rules for transit and enable funds to be spent on transit operations instead of being restricted to capital projects – a top priority for the Transport Workers Union in next year’s surface transportation reauthorization bill.
“This bill fixes a critical problem for transit workers and the traveling public across the country,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “Right now, transit agencies have to deal with archaic federal limitations that incentivize bad decisions. Today, agencies are strongly encouraged to buy new infrastructure or equipment that they don’t need and can’t operate because no federal funds can be used to pay for workers to operate and maintain them.”
Lawler’s bill was introduced by four House Republicans: Lawler, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), signaling bipartisan support for changing federal transit funding rules and enabling spending that delivers the best service for the traveling public. The TWU also supports additional legislation that would provide billions of dollars annually to help transit agencies increase bus and rail service through a new funding source for transit operations.
“Giving transit agencies the flexibility to spend federal funds on operations will result in better service delivery for working families and provide a better return on investment for federal dollars,” Samuelsen said. “This is a common-sense fix that will empower local agencies to make better decisions for our communities.”
“Public transit is vital to communities across New York and the Hudson Valley. Federal transit grants mostly cover big-ticket items like buying new buses or building stations, but not the day-to-day costs of running them. This bill provides transit agencies with greater flexibility to use these federal dollars for both physical infrastructure and operating expenses that keep transportation running safely and efficiently,” said Congressman Lawler.