Bus Riders Union of Austin, Texas | El Sindicato de Pasajeros

In late June, CNN reported that the US House of Representatives passed a bill appropriating $1.7 billion to lower transit fares and expand services. The bill has remained in the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs since then.

According to Streetsblog, the bill still needs some Senate co-sponsors to advance. The delegation from New York and New Jersey is adamantly backing the bill, in no small part to the extra $237 million that would go to New York. Despite the earmarks, though, the bill still appears good.

H.R. 6052, the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008, by Minnesota Democrat James Oberstar would grant $750 million per year, for two years, to urban areas for expanding their services and lowering fares by doing at least one of the following: a) reducing 1 or more fares offered; b) expanding public transportation service; c) avoiding increasing fares or cuts in service; d) acquiring clean fuel or alternative fuel vehicle-related equipment; and e) establish or expand information and assistance for commuters. If this version, which passed the House, also passes the Senate, Capital Metro could simply not raise fares and be eligible for for a grant within the next two years. And the federal government would fund it 100% -- not matching funds required.

It's a one-time injection of funds that could help us out if we want, say, a new fleet clean running buses. And it's a hell of a lot better than raising fares.

Contact the Senate Committee and urge them to pass H.R. 6052!