Who will stand by transit?

With all the state budget cuts, from California to MinnesotatoNew Jersey, it doesn’t appear that governors are sympathetic to, or aware of, the surge in demand for public transportation -- nearly paralleling the onset of the recession, with funding shrinking all the while.

Whether it’s Governor Christie, Pawlenty or Schwarzenegger in charge, it seems like they all share a slash-and-burn mentality when it comes to balancing the budget, and public transportation is extremely vulnerable.

Every day, I talk to industry professionals and read story after story about budgets being obliterated and crucial services like paratransit going away. The future of transit funding seems pretty grim, unless more public-private partnerships can be arranged, fast. Still, there are supporters out there fighting to keep public transportation going.

Last week in Milwaukeea group of community, business and labor organizations banded together to push for a bill to save the city’s struggling bus system. Supporters gathered to hold a news conference and shored up “letters of support signed by top executives of 40 businesses and 15 business groups; leaders of 23 unions and four labor organizations.” Advocates are also speaking out in Minnesota. A coalition of transit organizations protested the line item vetoes of a capital investment bill that, they say, will lessen the state’s ability to compete for federal funds. 

So, there is some support for transit out there. Stories like this are encouraging, and, in times like these, I think we need more of them.

Do you have any of these stories to share? Is your agency getting support from or partnering with a transit advocacy or community group?

Nicole Schlosser

Associate Editor