Budget Cuts Would Hit Critical Public Transit Projects

Congress is still deciding what to do about public transportation funding in the next federal budget. It looks like we will see some funding cuts, even if they are not as severe as those the White House initially proposed. So what do potential funding cuts mean for public transit systems across the nation? Today, we zero in on key programs that could be cut—and how communities would be hurt.

Keeping the TIGER Program Alive

President Trump proposed entirely eliminating the highly popular, competitive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. Since 2009, the TIGER program has helped improve and transform transportation in American communities of every size.

Over seven rounds of funding, the TIGER program has provided nearly $4.6 billion for 420 projects in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. TIGER grants make a real difference in people’s lives:

• In Cleveland, Ohio, a $12.5 million TIGER grant enabled the Regional Transit Authority to build an important new rail station. This investment has helped attract additional private investment in the area, stimulating economic development and connecting people to nearby community resources, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art.
• In Omaha, Nebraska, a $15 million TIGER grant enabled the city to launch a new bus rapid transit (BRT) line, bringing mobility options to a corridor where a significant portion of residents have no access to a car.
• In Brownsville, Texas, a $10 million TIGER grant is enabling the region to improve and expand bus service, as well as make other transportation improvements. Texas Senator John Cornyn (R) praised the TIGER award, saying improvements “will have far-reaching impacts on not only Brownsville, but the entire coastal region.”

Project by project, public transit improves mobility, drives economic development, helps communities connect, and enhances people’s lives. The TIGER program could enable more communities to make progress—but not if it is severely reduced or eliminated by draconian budget cuts.

Sustaining Capital Investment Grants

The budget also proposed phasing out the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. More than fifty critical public transit projects funded in part through the CIG program are already in the development or engineering stages. States and cities have committed their own funds to these projects, with the expectation of federal funding support. Cutting funds for projects already in process will negatively impact these communities’ public transit systems and wallets. Here are some CIG projects that might be affected:

• Indianapolis, Indiana, voters recently supported new local funding for public transit, but the proposed cuts to the federal CIG program would leave a shortage of $75 million in the region’s plan to electrify and improve its bus rapid transit (BRT) system. CIG cuts would also jeopardize BRT improvements in several other regions.
• In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a planned streetcar line is slated to connect the State Capitol complex to downtown and Louisiana State University. The project could be scaled back or falter without sufficient CIG funding.
• In Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona, rail and streetcar projects respectively could also falter because of CIG cuts. These projects are needed to help address increasingly heavy traffic in this region.

The above examples are just a small snapshot of what’s at stake. TIGER and CIG funding cuts directly hurt public transit, but they will also translate into reduced access to jobs, education, and services, which carry huge implications for the overall economic and societal health of affected communities.

Americans will suffer if Congress turns its back on our nation’s historic commitment to public transportation. The good news is, it seems our lawmakers in Congress are hearing this message. The question is, will they remain firm in their support of public transportation when push comes to shove in the federal budget debate this fall?

Stay tuned and stay involved to help us shore up congressional support.

Public Transportation Fights Poverty

Access to transportation is the single most significant factor in enabling people to escape poverty. Public transportation access can have a greater impact on a person's ability to escape poverty than:

• Crime
• Single-Parent Households
• Student Test Scores

Moving Up the Income Ladder

Longer commute times reduce the chances that low income families will be able to move up the income ladder. In areas where there is little or no public transportation, families are more likely to be stuck in the cycle of poverty with much more limited access to jobs or employment choices than people with access to a car or reliable public transportation.

It's not just the ability to travel to work that is impacted by public transit. Research shows that proximity to affordable, reliable public transportation translates into job choices and ultimately higher incomes. Areas with limited public transit have lower incomes compared to places where public transit connects people to jobs. While urban communities are certainly affected, rural communities are especially at risk.

The Link Between Transportation and Poverty

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently gave our nation's entire infrastructure a D+ grade and estimated that we need to invest $4.6 trillion by 2025 to bring our transportation systems and other infrastructure up to an acceptable B grade. Public transit by itself received a D- grade, and ASCE notes that the U.S. has a backlog of $90 billion in needed maintenance on public transportation systems. Public transportation continues to be an area where the U.S. lags significantly behind nearly every other industrialized nation.

The link between transportation and poverty should be part of our conversation about America's infrastructure investment. Increased investment in public transportation is a way to help lift millions of Americans out of poverty instead of turning to entitlement programs. Rather than expanding public transportation to help confront poverty, however, the initial draft transportation budget from the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies proposes substantial cuts to public transportation, even if they are not as deep as those in President Trump’s proposed budget. The outlook from the Senate is somewhat better, but the Senate’s draft budget still reduces public transit funding rather than protecting current funding levels or even expanding them.

Those in poverty will see a valuable resource continue to diminish if critical funding for public transit is cut. There are many reasons for Congress to support full public transportation funding—it’s good for our entire economy; it makes our communities more sustainable; and it helps reduce congestion and improve the efficiency of all travel and commerce. But when it comes to reducing poverty in America—and by extension reducing the need for taxpayer-supported entitlement programs—members of Congress should make it a priority to help vulnerable American families who are struggling financially.

Funding public transportation is a public good that benefits everyone, but especially those in communities of all sizes who are struggling to break the poverty cycle.

A Right to an Independent Life

Think about what it means to you or to someone you love to be able to independently get to where you need to go.

Now consider what would happen if you were to lose that independence...This is the reality for many millions of Americans across the nation.

Public transportation is a lifeline for millions of people who can’t drive or who cannot afford a car because of age, disability, or financial circumstances. Others may choose to forego their vehicle because of the environment or to give themselves greater financial freedom or freedom of choice in other aspects of their lives.

A Basic Individual Right

The right to movement — or mobility — is protected under the U.S. Constitution, similar to our freedom of speech and religion, and being able to move independently is crucial to the exercise of many of our other freedoms and many of the opportunities Americans often take for granted. In this blog post, we’re sharing stories from riders who are able to exercise their right to be mobile thanks to public transit.

My [approximately hour-long] commute from Manson (WA) to Wenatchee Valley College could cost over $10/day. That's over $50/week in fuel on a student income. The Link Transit Service is a critical resource for me and many other students that live in my rural community, not to mention those that commute for employment that sustains their families. Link Transit is indispensable!

— Washington Transit Rider

Public transportation is my sole source for mobility. One of my college degrees was made possible by the availability and accessibility of public transportation.

— Tennessee Transit Rider

[Reducing transit services] would take my independence away. I do not like to ask anybody to take me anywhere unless I absolutely have to. I would not be able to go to the grocery store or other shopping on a limited income.

— Ohio Transit Rider

In a county like Erie, PA, it [reducing or eliminating transit] would be devastating. There would be people who would have to find other homes or other work because public transportation connects them. Thirty-three percent of people in Erie use public transit.

— Pennsylvania Supporter

These stories show how public transit improves individual lives, as well as underscore some of the devastating consequences if public transportation funding were to be cut significantly. But mobility is considered a key freedom not just because it’s important to individuals, but also because it’s vital to the functioning of our society and economy as a whole.

The Bottom Line when it Comes to Mobility

At its core, mobility improves people’s lives and communities, and public transit improves mobility both for those who ride and those who don’t. Every American — including every member of Congress — should recognize that public transit funding is essential to our quality of life, especially as our population continues to grow and the need for a more mobile workforce expands.

Share Your Mobility Story with Us

Voices for Public Transit needs to hear and share more great stories that demonstrate the importance of public transit. Every American’s right to mobility should be supported by federal funding for public transportation. Please share your story today.

What Does Mobility Mean to You?

What makes members of Congress sit up and take notice? Real stories…personal stories…authentic experiences that demonstrate the impact of public transportation in giving more people crucial mobility and greater independence.

Stories from individuals like you are key to motivating lawmakers to take a stand and take action. We need Congress to stand up and support public transit funding when they finalize the federal budget this fall — and your stories are going to help us win the day.

What Makes a Great Mobility Story?

Ultimately, the personal details are what make a story compelling. Here are just a few suggestions for things you can share that will help us demonstrate the importance of independent mobility for individuals and communities across the nation:

• Has public transit helped you access work or education?
  For some people, public transportation has opened up educational and employment opportunities. We’ve heard amazing stories from public transit supporters who were able to attend school or reach work because of public transportation.


• Do you use public transit to volunteer in your community or connect with friends and family?
  Public transit enables many people to make connections—not just from one place to another, but with other people. Tell us how riding public transit helps you connect with others and make a difference in your community.


• Does public transit connect you or people you know to events, shopping, or cultural attractions?
  Public transit improves the flow of commerce in many communities by connecting people to shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and more.


• Do mobility choices provided by public transit improve your quality of life?
  Public transportation gives millions of people choices for how they get around. That’s important both for those who can’t drive and for those who prefer not to.

Every story counts — tell us why mobility independence matters to you today.

Public Transit Supports Personal Independence

For the July 4 holiday, we looked at how public transit broadly supports the freedom of movement — a right protected under the Constitution — and mobility independence.

Today, Voices for Public Transit advocates are sharing their own stories of how a comprehensive public transportation system supports their personal mobility. The fact is, public transportation supports independent living for many Americans who can’t drive or don’t have access to a car.

Public Transportation Keeps Us Moving

Many public transit advocates or their family members use public transportation to overcome challenges and lead fuller lives. Here are just a few examples from our recent World Without Transit survey:

Due to a visual impairment, I cannot drive a car. Therefore, I'd be unemployed with no income if it weren't for public transit to get me back and forth to my two part-time jobs.

— Darrel F., Illinois

I have severe anxiety, ADHD, and Asperger’s and therefore take a lot of medication for those conditions. As a result, I cannot drive, because it would be too dangerous for both me as well as people around me…. Using public transportation helps me with my independence and my life as a whole.

— Christopher C., Texas

I'm a female disabled vet. I have no working car. Without public transit I would not be able to get to medical care, or to my part-time work, or to see my friends. Public transit is my lifeline.

— Karen D., California

My son is blind and uses public transportation to get to work, church, entertainment, and shopping. This is important for so many reasons.

— Marcia M., Texas

I'm a single mom on disability going to college on my own and supporting a teenage girl on my own so I need the bus to get to school and home. If I didn't have the bus, I couldn't go back to school.

— Jennifer S., California

I don't have a car and can’t afford one; I use the bus to get to work, grocery shop, and run my other errands. I moved to Colorado because I was told that you could get anywhere on the bus or light rail, and it’s true.

— Clarice D., Colorado

I'm on a fixed income, and I cannot afford the expense of a personal vehicle, as much as I'd love to have an economical car again. So, I rely on my local bus system. I'm thankful to have public transportation in my area.

— Dawn F., Pennsylvania

As you can see, public transit not only provides mobility for those who can’t drive, but is also essential for many individuals and families confronting financial challenges. We’re hearing from advocates who are able to attend school, reach work, and connect with their communities because of public transportation. Our nation should be proud that we’ve established the foundation of a public transportation network that supports mobility and independent living for millions of people, including seniors, people with disabilities, vets, and lower-income Americans — but we still have a long way to go before public transportation will be accessible to everyone who needs it.

Unfortunately, public transportation is now threatened by substantial federal budget cuts, which could set our nation back decades in the progress we should be making toward a truly integrated, multi-modal transportation network. Voices for Public Transit will continue working to ensure our congressional champions know they have the support of voters around the country.

Do you have a story you would like to share about why public transportation is important to you? Are you able to live more independently, pursue employment or educational opportunities, or connect with your community because of public transit? We’d like to hear about it. Please share your story at this link.