McMahon Introduces Bill Granting Emergency Operating Funds to Mass Transit Agencies

Press Release

Tonight, Rep. Michael E. McMahon, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced the Public Transportation Preservation Act of 2010. The legislation authorizes emergency funding for transit agencies across the country to address the recent wave of fare increases and service cuts.

"In New York, the MTA's proposed service cuts will have a devastating effect on the residents of Staten Island and Brooklyn, who use our subway and bus systems daily. My constituents are already burdened with both the most costly and most expensive commute in the Nation. And their mass transit options are already far less than in other areas throughout the City. Cuts to their service and increasing fares would be unconscionable. I introduced this bill to protect bus and rail service throughout New York City, including the free student transit passes that the MTA has considered eliminating. Our residents need relief now," said Rep. McMahon.

"The economic downturn has forced many state and local governments to rework their budgets, and cutting mass transit options is often first on the chopping block. However, public transportation is a critical service for many working-class families, people on fixed incomes, students and seniors. We need to be able to provide safe, efficient ways for workers not only in our City but throughout the Country to commute to work without having it cost them an arm and a leg. This common-sense legislation provides funds for transit agencies' operating expenses, allowing the agencies to prevent cuts to service and fare hikes and avoid layoffs," continued Rep. McMahon.

The American Public Transportation Association estimates that since January 1, 2009, 84 percent of public transit systems have either raised fares, cut service or are considering those options.

The Public Transportation Preservation Act provides $2 billion in emergency funding for operating expenses that will be used to either restore already instituted cuts and fare hikes or stave off ones that are currently being considered. New York State reduced its contribution to the MTA by $143 million in 2010 leaving a major hole in the MTA's budget.

Funding from McMahon's bill will be distributed through existing formulas, meaning that the MTA could expect approximately $250 million in funds, which could reduce the current MTA deficit of $400 million by more than 60%.

Rep. McMahon's bill is the companion legislation to S. 3412, which was introduced by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and cosponsored by Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

The Public Transportation Preservation Act continues Rep. McMahon's work to provide immediate solutions to address the commuting and transit burdens of Staten Islanders, Brooklynites and people throughout the Nation.

In October 2009, Rep. McMahon introduced HR 3960, The Residential and Commuter Toll Fairness Act of 2009, legislation that protects toll and fare discounts based on residential status. Currently, residential tolls are being threatened by a constitutional challenge in the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit of New York. As Congress regulates commerce, the bill would protect Staten Island residential discounts on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Bayonne and Goethals Bridges and the Outerbridge Crossing, as well as similar residential discount programs throughout the country.

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