Jobs and Pocketbooks Threatened as Transit Agencies Face Cutting Jobs and Service, Raising Fares
January 26, 2009By Transportation for America
Stimulus funds to preserve public transportation would help communities large and small, new compilation of data shows
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| Contact: David Goldberg 202-412-7930 david.goldberg@t4america.org Ben Grossman-Cohen |
UPDATED: 14 systems added to the map, bringing the total to 51 transit systems.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With ridership at record highs, transit agencies across the country are facing unprecedented fiscal crises in this economic downturn, leading to potential job losses, service cuts and fare hikes that are hitting at the worst possible time, a new compilation of nationwide data shows.
To view the map of proposed service cuts nationwide, please visit: http://t4america.org/transitcuts
The widespread nature of the crisis, as mapped by the Transportation for America coalition, underscores the impact of the failure to include service-preservation funds in the economic stimulus bill introduced by the U.S. House leadership last week and proposed today in the Senate. Emergency assistance to save jobs and service, which had been proposed by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair James Oberstar (D-Minn.), was removed from the bill without explanation. Funds for rail and other transit construction were cut, as well, while funding levels for highway construction remained intact.
Transportation for America’s informal audit highlights 38 51 communities across the U.S. that are considering eliminating jobs, cutting service, and raising fares, but will receive no assistance under the current recovery proposal to prevent these deep cuts to an essential service.
The far-reaching and broad cuts will directly affect transit employees and riders who are among the most at risk in this time of economic upheaval. These 38 51 systems together are responsible for more than 20 million daily trips by everyday Americans on public transportation.
“Our economy increasingly relies on public transit to function effectively, yet local systems are being forced to lay off workers and make cuts that will slow down economic growth and punish workers — including many low-income households who rely on transit to reach their jobs,” said Geoff Anderson, co-chair of the Transportation For America coalition.
“If we are serious about putting Americans back-to-work with this recovery plan, shouldn’t we also ensure that those who already have jobs don’t lose them?”
Emergency operating assistance in the recovery package will create and save jobs immediately with relatively limited investment. According to the Amalgamated Transit Union, every $1 billion invested in public transit operations generates 60,000 jobs. Without federal assistance the multibillion dollar transit industry, which employs nearly 400,000 workers will continue to lay off workers at a rapid pace.
The following cities are proposing to reduce service, cut jobs, raise fares, or all of the above due to economy-induced budget shortfalls. View the map at http://t4america.org/transitcuts
(1/27/09) Cities Added: Eugene, OR; Cincinatti, OH; Augusta, GA; Clark County (Vancouver), WA; Carbon County, PA; Binghamton, NY; Orlando, FL; Olympia , WA; San Francisco-San Jose-Gilroy, CA (Caltrain); San Mateo, CA; Monterrey, CA; Hollister, CA; Orange County, CA; Western Contra Costa County, CA
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Albuquerque, NM Atlanta, GA Augusta, GA Baltimore, MD Bay Area, CA Binghamton, NY Buffalo, NY Carbon County, PA Charlotte, NC Chicago, IL Cincinatti, OH Clark County, WA Columbia, SC Denver, CO Eugene, OR Gary, IN Hollister, CA Jackson, MS Kansas City, MO Las Vegas, NV Long Beach, CA Long Island, NY Louisville, KY Madison, WI Marshall, MN Monterey – Salinas, CA |
Nashville, TN New Haven, CT New York, NY Olympia, WA Orange County, CA Orlando, FL Peoria, IL Phoenix, AZ Providence, Rhode Island Reno, NV Sacramento, CA Salem, OR San Diego, CA San Joaquin, CA San Jose – San Francisco, CA (Caltrain) San Luis Obispo, CA San Mateo, CA Seattle Region, WA Snowmass Village, CO St. Louis, MO Tacoma, WA Twin Cities, MN Vallejo, CA W. Contra Costa, CA Washington, D.C. |
Refer to the map at www.t4america.org/transitcuts for details on each city.
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http://communitymediaworkshop.org/newstips/?p=419 Newstips v2.0 » Blog Archive » Prospects for transit
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