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Feds Propose $2 Billion for Transit Operations

Politics   May 26, 2010 at 2:09 pm Erica C. Barnett

Eight US Senate Democrats introduced legislation yesterday that would provide $2 billion in emergency funding for cash-strapped transit agencies nationwide. The money would pay for transit operations at agencies that made service cuts, fare increases, or layoffs as the result of local or state transportation budget shortfalls that happened after January 1, 2009.

Both King County Metro and Sound Transit would qualify under those criteria. Metro faced a $213 million shortfall in the 2010-2011 biennium, which it closed, in part, by making service cuts and raising fares, and Sound Transit faces a $3.1 billion shortfall over the next 13 years, which has also forced fare hikes.

Geoff Patrick, a spokesman for Sound Transit, called the proposal “very positive” for the agency, especially because the money can be used for operations, not just capital projects. “The eligibility criteria for this program are among the broadest of all transit funding programs.” Patrick said he thought both Sound Transit and Metro would be strong candidates for the money. “The bottom line is, we’re going to continue going for as much money as we can get our hands on.”

Rochelle Ogershok, a spokeswoman for Metro, said Metro staff were not yet familiar enough with the proposal to comment on it, but that “we always welcome additional federal support to help with ailing transit budgets.”


  • Gomez

    I'm all for funding transit, except it's fairly clear this money is temporary. In a year or so, you're right back where you started. Basically, it's probably not a good idea to use the money on capital projects if you can't pay for the maintenance of the expanded infrastructure under the status quo… akin to a free new car hurting your budget if your can't afford the tags and insurance.

  • http://www.joeszilagyi.com/ Joe Szilagyi

    This (specific fiscal injection) should definitely be used to prevent cuts, agreed, rather than to expand.

  • martinhduke

    My understanding is that this is an “authorization”, rather than an “appropriation”, meaning there's no actual money attached:
    http://dc.streetsblog.org/2010/05/25/eight-sena…

  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Mr. Baker

    Thanks for the link.
    I guess putting an asparation/policy out there with a sunset helps put a box around it. That might make the appropriations part go more quickly.

  • transitrider

    While this is good news for transit, I feel that any new money for transit – or any government agency, for that matter – needs to be accompanied by accountability standards, e.g. required performance audits every “x” years based on size, required financial disclosure (top 25 salaries, average cost of total benefits, major expenditures), and required documents online (meeting minutes, staff reports, video and/or audio of meetings, financial statements). To do otherwise is a blank check, assuming that current practices are apropos for our revised economy.

  • ericacbarnett

    I think the reasoning is that sales taxes are down because of the recession, which is itself a temporary situation. Once transit agencies' revenues are back up, they'll be able to pay for operations and maintenance out of their own budgets.

  • Anc

    Those all sound like just plain good ideas for all government agencies.

  • Gomez

    I can see that reasoning. It's a premise shared in a lot of governments and industries, for sure, but that's predicated on the economy rebounding in full as pundits expect, and… well….

  • morning

    $40M per state. WA is about 1/50 of the nation's area and population. Metro has a $213M shortfall – what are the totals for the state?

    Transit needs a new model.

  • Joe Incognito

    Nitpicky note to the headline writer: when I see “Feds,” I think Executive Branch. From the content of the article, though, this is more like wishful thinking: a senate bill that (presumably) won't pass 60 votes. Substantive difference, and deserves a different implication in the headline.

  • jeffw66seattle

    Why is it that the Sound Transit spokesperson can express support for the proposal – but the Metro spokesperson can't?

    According to County records, Rochelle Ogershock grossed just over $105,000.00 in salary alone last year. How about saving the County some money right now by eliminating her overpaid and unnecessary position?

    The $100K Club
    http://pstransitoperators.wordpress.com/2010/04…

  • jeffw66seattle

    Sound Transit can express support, but the spokesperson for Metro can't?

    Rochell Ogershok, according to County records, made over $105,000.00 last year. How about saving the County some money right now and eliminating her overpaid, unnecessary position?

    http://pstransitoperators.wordpress.com/2010/04…

  • mathewrenndawgrenner

    This is wrong on so many levels. The federal goverment has no business in local transit. The federal goverment should be involved in interstate and international transportation. If it was a train running from Seattle tr Portland than you can make a case. Local projects should have to be funded locially.