Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Under the agreement, federal transportation funding will continue at roughly $54 billion a year, with public transportation funds set at $8.36 billion in FY2012, $8.47 billion in FY 2013 and $8.595 billion in FY 2014.

The bill, which would extend SAFETEA-LU and the collection of motor fuels taxes that are deposited in the Highway Trust Fund through June 30, 2012, is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama.

VP David Palmer testified that this SAFETEA-LU enacted restriction removed a critical tool designed to immediately identify driver and mechanical safety issues.

On the heels of the one-year anniversary of the expiration of the previous multi-year surface transportation bill, APTA officials, along with public transportation riders from around the country, shared stories of how public transportation has benefited their lives at an event in Washington, D.C., blocks away from the Capitol building.

Program aims to make roadways safer by increasing the number of CDL holders with enhanced safety training and to assist economically distressed regions of the U.S. by providing training opportunities for qualified individuals to become commercial motor vehicle operators.

More than 150 earmarks in 2006 and 2007, allocated under SAFETEA-LU, would have funded public transit projects in several communities across the U.S. had they been spent by Sept. 30, 2009.

Will advise the Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, on statistical matters.

Since the last federal surface transportation act expired last fall, Congress has been granting short-term extensions. The current extension is scheduled to expire March 28.

Includes $10.231 billion in new budget authority for public transportation — a $740 million increase, or 7.8 percent, over last year’s level, but $106 million less than the level authorized in SAFETEA-LU.

Plan calls for an annual 20 percent increase in federal transit funding, with the program being funded at a guaranteed level of more than $30 billion annually by 2015.