We Can Get There
from Here ATU’s
Bold Plan to Renew
Federal Transit Laws
Every six years, we get the chance to tell Congress how to improve the federal transit program. The legislation that authorizes all U.S. public transportation programs and policies – known currently as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) – expires in September. So, during the next nine months, lawmakers will be conducting hearings and soliciting ideas from interested groups.
When gas hit four dollars per gallon last year, transit ridership nationwide increased to its highest level in more than 50 years. In a major proposal released in January, ATU called on Congress to enact policies that will continue to grow transit, increase the number of transportation choices, and reduce our dependence on
foreign oil:
1) Increasing Transit Funding
Current Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding levels are inadequate. ATU calls on Congress to increase federal transit funding by 20% annually, so that by Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, the program would be funded at nearly $31 billion annually. In order to raise enough revenue to meet these goals, we support raising the federal gas tax, and propose a $1 monthly surcharge on monthly public transportation passes.
In addition, in order to spend the money wisely, we recommend that the metropolitan planning process be improved to allow transit workforce representatives, minority groups, disabled persons, transit riders, smart growth groups, businesses, and others with a direct stake in the provision of public transportation services to serve on the policy boards of metropolitan planning organizations.
2) Allowing Local Control of FTA Funds
Ironically, while recent high fuel costs have encouraged more people to ride transit, rising diesel prices have also caused transit systems nationwide to raise fares, cut service, lay off staff, and delay capital spending. Like other consumers, the transit agencies are also paying more for fuel.
The reason for the service cuts is simple. Transit systems, with few exceptions, may not use their FTA funds for operating expenses. For many of these transit agencies, even if the federal government provided enough funds to double the size of their existing fleets, they would likely be forced to keep the majority of those buses in the garage. State and local tax revenues, which support the bulk of transit operations, are way down, and fuel prices are busting their budgets.
ATU supports giving local transit systems the option to use a portion of their federal transit funds for operating purposes, including labor, fuel, administrative costs, and maintenance.
3) Encouraging State Investment
Too many states are shortchanging transit at a time when their residents are looking for more travel options. Just seven states are responsible for more than 80 percent of all state transit funding.
The federal government needs to play an active role in leveraging state and local investment – encouraging states and local governments to invest in public transportation. ATU recommends the establishment of the “Flexibility Incentive Grant” (FIG) program within the FTA. This ATU-drafted bill would provide additional federal surface transportation dollars to states that increase their own level of funding for bus, rail and ferry services.
4) Increasing Ridership
Even with the recent surge in ridership, only about five percent of commuters use public transportation to get to work. While recent trends serve as evidence that people are willing to change their travel habits if the alternative is convenient, safe, and economical, it first must be made available. Unfortunately, today, 54 percent of Americans still have no access to transit.
ATU recommends a number of innovative ways to make transit more available and attractive, including raising the monthly cap on employer-provided tax-free transit benefits to the level allowed for parking benefits, making the tax-free commuter benefits program available to all federal, state and local government employees, and developing targeted fare-free and reduced fare pilot programs.
5) Creating Transit Workforce Development Programs
The public transportation industry, like many service-based sectors, will be faced with major challenges in the near future. A large percentage of the transit workforce – both blue and white collar – will be retiring within the next few years. There is no pipeline of replacements on the horizon. And, for the existing workforce, new technology is rapidly changing the way transit agencies function, affecting every executive director, mid-level manager, bus driver and mechanic alike. Yet, relatively few programs exist to provide training to workers so that they can perform their jobs adequately, move up the career ladder, and help the nation’s transit agencies operate at maximum efficiency.
ATU supports the Transportation Job Corps Act, which would create a career ladder grant program within the FTA to help existing workers retain jobs while also recruiting and preparing young adults for jobs in the transit sector.
6) Maintaining Transit Labor Protections
The U.S. public transportation industry has experienced remarkable labor relations stability during the 45 years of the federal transit program. The basis for five decades of labor-management cooperation is Section 5333 (b) of Title 49 of the United States Code (formerly Section 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act), which states that when federal funds, most recently authorized under SAFETEA-LU, are used to acquire, improve or operate a transit system, there must be arrangements to protect the rights of affected transit employees.
The crucial so-called Section 13(c) provisions ensure the continuation of collective bargaining rights and benefits for nearly 360,000 urban, suburban and rural transit employees under existing collective bargaining agreements. The statute protects transit workers from adverse affects that may arise when federal dollars are invested in their local transit systems. This sensible, balanced system fosters unmatched labor-management stability, ensuring a highly trained, experienced, safe and professional workforce, allowing for the development of significant technological, structural, and productivity improvements.
ATU supports the continuation of the critical transit employee labor protections provided by Section 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act and application of Section 13(c) protections to any new federal transit programs or innovative financing mechanisms created through SAFETEA-LU’s reauthorization.
7) Providing for Our Neediest Citizens
Despite the best of intentions in past reauthorization bills, public transportation is still not meeting the needs of America’s most vulnerable citizens – elderly, disabled, and low income individuals. It is time for Congress to provide the framework and resources necessary to ensure that transportation is no longer a barrier in people’s ability to work, play, and live life to the fullest extent possible throughout our communities.
ATU supports the consolidation of a number of poorly-funded special transportation programs in an effort to improve mobility options for America’s most needy citizens. We also call for ending the practice of privatizing paratransit service to irresponsible contractors who do not have the best interests of elderly and disabled individuals in mind.
8) Putting More Service on the Streets – Immediately
There are a few noteworthy steps that can be taken by Congress which could dramatically increase the level of public transportation services throughout the U.S. within a short period of time. ATU recommends pilot programs that encourage transit agencies to reduce fares and expand service. We also call for new policies that encourage more states to use more of their available highway dollars for public transit. And, we suggest the expansion of “congestion pricing” – charging motorists a toll for using a particular stretch of roadway or for entering a particular area – and dedicating revenues toward expanded transit services.
9) Registering Transit Riders to Vote
Congress enacted the “Motor Voter Act” to enhance voting opportunities for every American. The Act has made it easier for all Americans to register to vote and to maintain their registration. The legislation requires states to provide individuals with the opportunity to register to vote at the same time that they apply for a driver’s license or seek to renew a driver’s license. However, no federal law exists to make it easier for non-drivers to register to vote. As a result of this oversight, a large segment of our population has not benefitted from this legislation.
ATU supports grants to non-profit organizations for the purpose of registering and mobilizing non-driving transit riders to vote and to educate all transit riders about transit election issues on a non-partisan basis.
10) Enhancing the Safety of Transit Workers and Passengers
Transit operator assault is becoming an epidemic in America. When transit workers are attacked in the course of performing their duties, the safety of every individual on board the vehicle is placed in immediate jeopardy. In addition, other cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists are put at risk when bus drivers are distracted for any reason. Congress needs to provide transit operators with the maximum level of protection.
In order to deter these senseless crimes, ATU calls on Congress to require transit systems to post notice of the enhanced federal penalties for operator assault on every vehicle in service. In addition, states should be encouraged to pass laws that increase the penalty for assaulting a transit worker in the line of duty.