Feds May Provide MTA With $237M For Mass Transit

By ARI PAUL

A bill granting $1.7 billion in Federal funds to aid mass transit systems to increase ridership passed the U.S. House of Representatives June 27, with a Manhattan Congressman saying it could mean an additional $237 million for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority if approved by the U.S. Senate and President Bush.

JERROLD NADLER: Should help enhance service.

"This bill will provide a much-needed infusion of cash for the MTA," U.S. Rep. and House Transportation Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in a statement. "While it won't fully fund the MTA's capital plan, it should help the MTA complete some much-needed service enhancements. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and its passage will be a victory for the straphangers of New York City."

Sander: A Good Investment

MTA Executive Director and CEO Elliot Sander praised the bill in a statement: "Investing in transit takes cars off of our roads, protects the environment and provides a critical option for commuters in a time of record gas prices."

Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign said if the bill was enacted he hoped it would stave off another proposed MTA fare hike.

Increased Federal funding for the MTA could provide a light of hope for unions that will negotiate contracts in the next year, as the MTA has said that recent budget woes have caused the authority to seek "modest" labor givebacks while simultaneously implementing new policies to improve labor-management relations. Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint, who has the largest membership of MTA workers, did not comment on the bill.

"This bill will help transit systems expand service, while also helping to create jobs and protect our environment," Congressman Nadler said.