Bush budget proposes less for transit

The Bush Administration’s FY 2007 budget proposes $100 million less in federal transit funds than what Congress approved last year.

Under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Congress set guaranteed transit funding at $8.97 billion in FY 2007.

While transit funding would increase by 4.3%, from $8.50 billion in FY 2006 to $8.87 billion in FY 2007, funding transit below the authorized and guaranteed level means that needed improvements to the transit infrastructure will occur at a slower rate, according to a statement from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

The budget proposal adheres to SAFETEA-LU in most respects, but it proposes funding only $100 million of the $200 million authorized in FY 2007 for a program to assist the creation of fixed guideway projects such as streetcars, trolleys, commuter rail and BRT systems.

APTA officials have expressed disappointment with the proposed budget. Read more online at www.apta.com.