An emergency transit funding bill introduced May 25th by Senator Chris Dodd (D CT) and co-sponsored by Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D OH) Richard Durbin (D IL), Kristen Gillibrand (D NY), Jack Reed (D RI) and Charles Schumer (D NY) could bring $2 billion to public transit systems across the country.
The $2 billion in emergency funding for transit agencies nationwide would reverse fare increases and service cuts. The funds also could be used to prevent future fare hikes and service cuts.
This funding would help TCU members across the country in locations like MTA in New York, NJ Transit, METRA in Chicago, SEPTA in Philadelphia, Orange County and LACMTA in California as well as all other public transportation agencies across the country.
“We applaud Senators Lautenberg and Menendez for their efforts to bring critically needed transportation funding. We will provide whatever assistance necessary to the senators on this legislation,” said Dan Stessel, NJ Transit spokesman, in a prepared statement.
“This is what it is all about, elected politicians trying to help working men and women,” said TCU International President Bob Scardelletti. “TCU supports those who support our membership.”
Click here to read the full text of the bill.
Click here to read the article in the Wall Street Journal.
On the Other Hand…
Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) introduced legislation that if enacted, would require Amtrak to discontinue passenger rail service on all long distance routes across our country. Thousands of Amtrak employees would be out of work.
Here is the difference…we have a group of Democratic Senators trying to protect our livelihood, while on the other hand we have a Republican Congressman trying to put thousands on the street,” said Scardelletti