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More than 80 percent of public transit systems are dealing with flat or decreased funding from local, regional and state sources, causing nine out of 10 systems to raise fares or cut service, according to results from a recent American Public Transportation Association (APTA) survey.

Of those agencies that are facing revenue declines, 47 percent have both raised fares and cut service to address funding shortfalls. The average revenue decline exceeds 20 percent.

"Challenge of State and Local Funding Constraints on Transit Systems: Effects on Service Fares, Employment and Ridership" features input from 98 APTA transit system members, including 10 of the nation's 15 largest transit agencies in terms of ridership.

APTA is calling on Congress to provide new revenue sources for public transportation by allocating cap and trade revenues for transit in the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The association also wants transit systems to be able to use up to 10 percent of their American Recovery and Reinvestment Act formula funds for operating purposes.