APTA | Passenger Transport
July 5, 2010

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The 14 help wanted ads in this week's classifieds offer such jobs as a transit agency general manager and an executive director in academia!

BREAKING NEWS

House Subcommittee Approves Draft THUD Bill for FY 2011

As a first step in the appropriations process, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) marked up and approved a draft appropriations bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 on July 1. This bill provides more than $11.3 billion for public transportation programs, $574.9 million more than the level approved for FY 2010. It is uncertain when this and other appropriations bills will be passed.

This amount includes $8.96 billion for formula and bus programs, an increase of $618.18 million over last year’s amount. The increased funding levels for the trust fund programs is subject to the enactment of future legislation that extends the current authorization, which expires Dec. 31, and provides increased budget authority.

The bill also provides $2 billion for the Capital Investments Program (New Starts) and $150 million for capital grants for the Washington Area Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the same levels provided last year.

For rail programs, the subcommittee bill provides $1.4 billion for investments in high-speed and intercity passenger rail: $1.1 billion less than last year’s level, but $400,000 more than recommended in the president’s budget request for FY 2011. The draft budget also includes $75 million for grants to railroads to install positive train control (PTC) technology, up from $50 million last year.

DHS, Other Draft Appropriations
The House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY 2011 bill—which provides $300 million for rail and transit security grants, the same level as in last year’s bill—on June 23. This amount is significantly less than the $1.1 billion authorized by the 9/11 Commission Act and requested by APTA. 

Passage Uncertain
The outlook for passage of all of the FY 2011 appropriations bills is uncertain for the remainder of the year. Senate consideration of appropriations legislation is not yet scheduled, and it is unlikely that there will be sufficient time on the Congressional calendar to consider each of the bills prior to the scheduled adjournment in October.

It is expected that, prior to the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30, Congress will need to enact a continuing resolution to fund federal programs until after the November elections.

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