Emergency Transit Funding Protects Riders and Workers

by Mike Hall, May 28, 2010

TWU President James Little addresses thousands of transportation union members at a Capitol Hill rally.

Unless the U.S. Senate passes emergency funding introduced in legislation (S. 3412) this week, working families who count on public transportation systems in communities across the country will face even more severe fare increases and service cuts and transit workers are looking at further layoffs.

State and local governments have been hit hard by the downturn in the economy and public transportation systems nationwide are experiencing major budget cuts as a result. Amalgamated Transit Union President (ATU) Warren George says that since January 2009, six out of 10 transit systems have cut services, raised fares, or both.

Thousands of transit workers have been laid off and millions of commuters have less access to public transportation. Without emergency action, the problems will only get worse—seven out of 10 transit systems are facing deficits in the coming year.

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who introduced the $2 billion emergency funding bill, says that while families continue to struggle to make ends meet,

the last thing we should do is make it harder and more expensive for people to get to work. This bill will prevent disruptive service cuts and help put money back in the pockets of families when they need it most.

Transit service cuts often disproportionately affect those with low-incomes, people of color and seniors.  In many cases, people are cut off from accessing their jobs or health care.  And fare increases can have a devastating effect on working families and those on fixed incomes.

Transport Workers (TWU) President James C. Little says, “If we want to get the economy moving again,”

the last thing we need is more layoffs and more service cuts, which will make it harder for working people to get to work, and harder for businesses to have a steady flow of customers and employees.

ATU and TWU have joined together to form Save Our Ride, a nationwide coalition in support of public transit, with backing from civil rights, community and environmental organizations, as well as transit management in many cities.

Edward Wytkind, president of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), says that “Millions of Americans rely on transit as a safe and affordable way to get to work.”

Without this legislation, the deep service cuts announced or threatened nationwide will undermine working people and businesses still reeling from the effects of the deep recession.

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