Fighting for Operating Funds in the Federal Transportation Bill

Mock Funeral Mourns Cuts to Public Transportation and Highlights New Bill

On July 22, 2009, TransForm, along with Genesis, Public Advocates, Urban Habitat, CALPIRG, and Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency held a mock funeral to mourn the brutal cuts to public transportation happening across the Bay Area and state and encourage support of a bill currently in the U.S. House of Representatives that would restore funding for public transportation operations.

Bus rider Sylvia Darensburg from East Oakland described herself as a living example of how the quality and cost of public transportation directly affects her quality-of-life. "I've been forced to turn down many better paying jobs because they are inaccessible by public transit," said Sylvia.

Speakers at the event asked people to call on their legislators to support HR 2746. Two Bay Area Congressional representatives are cosponsoring this bill (Rep. Barbara Lee and Rep. Jerry McNerney).

The legislation would allow public transportation agencies to redirect a portion of federal funds for capital projects to operating costs (actually running and maintain existing bus, train, and ferry lines). Federal funding has not gone towards public transportation operations since the late 1990's.

"By keeping our buses, trains and ferries running, operating funds accomplish a triple bottom-line: they provide access to people who rely on it, create jobs and help meet climate and health goals." said TransForm's Transportation Program Director Carli Paine,

Take action now and ask your Congressperson to support HR 2746 to keep our public transportation moving.