Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The tentative agreement establishes federal highway, transit and highway safety policy and keeps programs at current funding levels through the end of fiscal year 2014. If a majority of House and Senate conferees approve the conference report, both bodies are then expected to take up the measure before the end of the week, prior to the expiration of the current extension of transportation funding on June 30th.

A Sr. Democratic aide also reported that both the House and Senate are close to an overall deal but have not yet wrapped everything up.

The measure must pass the Senate before March 31 to avoid the lapse of federal highway programs. Both chambers are scheduled to wrap up legislative business this week before taking a spring recess.

Public transit systems, businesses, employees, riders and advocates are joining together at rallies around the country on Sept. 20 with a message for Congress: ‘Don’t X Out Public Transit.’ Meanwhile, APTA will hold a panel discussion conference call Sept. 20 with transit leaders and advocates to discuss the impact of the cuts and the national campaign.