CALPIRG Blog

Public transportation has been a hallmark of American society since the first tracks were laid for steam-powered locomotives over 180 years ago. America has grown substantially in both size and population since the days of steam engines, but a lack of imagination and vision from our policy makers has kept our public transit system stuck in the past.

Examples of poor planning in regards to public transit are easy to find. This year, the California State Legislature has made proposals to cut funding to public transit operations. By cutting operational funding, legislators will create a system in which we have money to buy buses but insufficient funds to hire the drivers.

Taking a cue from the states, Congress is poised to neglect transit funding in the Economic Recovery Package. The current language allocates 25% of the transportation funding to smart public transit projects, while 75% goes into building roads. Even if we pretend that transit projects don’t create 20% more jobs-per-dollar than road building projects; the current Economic Recovery Package language perpetuates an old and shortsighted transit philosophy that favors cars over buses and rail systems.

Even though some legislators are content to cover their eyes and ears when it comes to transit, there are glimmers of light shinning through the congressional murk. For instance, Rep. Oberstar (D-MN) has expressed disappointment that infrastructure projects were cut from the Economic Recovery Package, and Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia is circulating a “dear colleague” letter calling on legislators to remember that “…states have been hit hard in this economic downturn and many are in desperate need of financial assistance to support state transportation infrastructure”.

Now is the time for Congress and the State Legislature to get behind public transit funding, and by doing so help to create a real 21st century transit system.