Advocacy efforts timed to hit members of Congress during recess

More than 350 transit agencies and other organizations took part in local "Stand Up for Transportation" events April 9, part of an effort by the American Public Transportation Association and its members to push Congress to take action on long-stalled legislation.

The events—ranging from a "Unity Parade" parade in Denver to a rally in Philadelphia—were timed for when lawmakers would be home during spring recess.

Congress has repeatedly passed short-term extensions of surface transportation programs—and tapped billions of dollars in general funds— rather than find new revenue sources for the highway trust fund, a portion of which goes toward mass transit. The federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon was last raised in 1993. The current authorization expires May 31, and all signs point to another short-term extension. Transportation authorities say they cannot plan projects and purchases because of the uncertainty over funding.

APTA also released a new analysis Thursday on the impact of cutting federal funding for public transit. The cut would result in an average 43 percent reduction in local capital improvement funds, potentially stalling 66 new public transit projects and the replacement of 38,000 buses. Nationwide, this would put at risk $227 billion in economic activity over six years.

"Without federal investment, there will be negative impacts in towns small and large. In fact, states with some of the highest proportions of rural residents will see the greatest percentage of their total funding eliminated for their local public transportation systems," said APTA CEO Michael Melaniphy in a statement.

Two bills proposed by Republicans in the U.S. House would cut non-highway programs from the trust fund. However, House leaders are not considering such a move.