As part of a nationwide effort by the 100 Bus Coalition, Wichita Transit (WT) is joining transit systems across the country asking Congress to pass the Transit System Flexibility Protection Act of 2007. More than 130 transit systems oppose legislation prohibiting the use of federal funds for operating services, because their respective urban area exceeds 200,000 in population. A majority of these systems, including WT, will reduce bus service for Fiscal Year 2008, as eligible operating funds decrease for services related to fuel, operator wages, or the Americans With Disability Act.
In January, Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Pennsylvania Congressman Joseph R. Pitts introduced the Transit System Flexibility Protection Act. The bill is currently stalled in committee.
“We are not asking for more money, just the flexibility to use what we get,” Banasiak said. “Some of these transit systems are in rapidly growing areas across the country and are facing growing pains with increased congestion, air quality issues and suburban sprawl while being forced to reduce bus service due to this arbitrary population level. We still get our federal funding. I can’t use the money to operate a bus, but I can use it to buy one. We will force people to lose their jobs because public transit is their only means of transportation. This arbitrary federal rule hurts the people who can least afford to be hurt.
“The rule comes at a time when use of public transit is increasing,” Banasiak continued, “Communities need more transit, not less. Wichita Transit appreciates the support from Congressman Tiahrt and Senators Roberts and Brownback and urges them to support this legislation out of committee and pass it.”
For more information on the coalition and legislation, please contact Banasiak at 265-7221.
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