Transit Funding

Amtrak Train

Amtrak in Dire Financial Straits, Seeking More Federal Relief Funding

Amtrak officials say they need $4.9 billion in funding to prevent service and job losses.

September 15, 2020 - Reuters via St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New York City Subway

Destroyed Subway Car Windows Contribute to MTA Budget Deficit

As the Metropolitan Transportation Authority grapples with a $16 billion deficit, smashed train windows are adding to the cost.

August 27, 2020 - The New York Times

Subway Turnstiles

'Freedom to Move Act' Would Provide Federal Support for Free Transit Programs

New legislation by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) would also target fare enforcement on the nation's transit systems.

July 6, 2020 - Curbed

Cincinnati, Ohio

Transit Improvements Coming to Cincinnati Area After Voters Approve New Sales Tax

Hamilton County, Ohio, home to Cincinnati and the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, has a new coffer of money to fund public transit improvements.

June 10, 2020 - Government Technology

Baltimore MTA Bus

Baltimore Transit Lagging Behind Other Systems

State-run buses and subway trains in Baltimore have breakdown rates far higher than systems in other cities.

March 29, 2020 - The Baltimore Sun

Capitol Hill

Updated: $2 Trillion Federal Stimulus Includes Billions for Transit, Housing

The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has already hit public transit revenues hard, and the concerns of millions of renters around the country about how they'll afford to pay the rent are weighing heavily on the country.

March 25, 2020 - The New York Times

New York Subway

New York MTA Seeks Federal Funding Relief as Ridership Plummets

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has seen significant ridership drops due to the coronavirus. The agency is asking Congress for $4 billion to help it through the crisis.

March 23, 2020 - The New York Times

nyc. subway.

Annual Transit Shortfall Estimated at $26 Billion-$38 Billion

The realities of the coronavirus are most obvious in the declining ridership, and revenues, on public transit in the United States, but it's not enough to shut down public transit when so many people depend on safe, healthy service.

March 23, 2020 - TransitCenter

Indianapolis Bus Rapid Transit

Without Private Funding, Transit Revenue Could Take a Hit in Indianapolis

IndyGo transit officials are required to match transit income tax revenue with funding from private sources, but haven't yet met that end of the bargain. A new state law would hold IndyGo accountable to those requirements.

March 3, 2020 - Indianapolis Business Journal

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Blue Line Extension on the Table in Virginia

Virginia could kick off an extension of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Blue Line by funding a study in this year's state budget.

February 24, 2020 - The Washington Post

Houston Metro Bus

Houston Will Not Be a Fare-Free Transit City

In case anyone was getting carried away with the idea of fare-free transit, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County has some cold water to pour on the conversation.

January 20, 2020 - Houston Chronicle

cars

Massachusetts Legislators Fear Hidden Gas Tax in Transportation and Climate Initiative

Gov. Charlie Baker (R) supports a multi-state proposal to mitigate tailpipe emissions that would increase gas prices and pay for transit projects in an $18 billion transportation bond. A bill has been introduced to ensure that doesn't happen.

January 6, 2020 - The Boston Herald

Metro Los Angeles Light Rail

Los Angeles Needs New Funding Sources to Meet Public Transit Ambitions

With an aggressive plan to build out numerous public transit lines in time for the 2028 Olympics, local officials are scrambling to fill funding gaps as prices continue to rise and catch planners and officials by surprise.

January 5, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Kansas City Streetcar

Zero Fare Transit Approved in Kansas City, Missouri

While the details of funding are undetermined, Kansas City, Missouri took a monumental step in the history of U.S. public transit yesterday.

December 6, 2019 - KSHB

Toronto Streetcar

Toronto Mayor Proposes New Property Taxes to Fund Transit and Housing

The proposal by Mayor John Tory is being hailed as a game changer in Canada's most populous city.

December 6, 2019 - The Star

Wisconsin Capitol

Madison Common Council Narrowly Approves Unpopular $40 Wheel Tax

Despite major opposition by residents, the Madison Common Council approved a $40 motor vehicle registration fee (aka 'wheel tax') on an 11-8 vote on Oct. 29 to help fund the city's new East-West Bus Rapid Transit system.

November 29, 2019 - Wisconsin State Journal

The Transit Agency formerly known as the Nashville MTA

Nashville Loses Out on Federal Transit Grant, Adding to Agency's Budget Woes

WeGo Public Transit did not receive a grant to build a transit center, and transit advocates say it’s a sobering setback in light of the agency’s other budget challenges.

November 22, 2019 - News Channel 5 Nashville

Chicago El

Advocating for Reduced Transit Fairs for Low-Income Riders in Chicago

A new report by the Active Transportation Alliance builds the case for reduced transit fares on all three transit systems in the Chicago region.

November 19, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Philadelphia Transit Station Rendering

A New, Old Transit Station in Philadelphia

Planners in Philadelphia believe that the Franklin Square Station will achieve higher ridership figures than when the station closed 40 years ago, thanks to numerous large developments in the area.

November 16, 2019 - WHYY

Texas Commute

Opinion: Houston Should Vote Yes for MetroNext to Build Transit and Clean the Air

The executive director of Environment Texas makes the case for public transit as a key tool in improving air pollution in and around Houston. Houston voters will vote on the MetroNext bond referendum today.

November 5, 2019 - Houston Chronicle

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