advertisement

---

This week, the Senate passed a $318 billion, six-year transit and highway reauthorization bill, according to American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) weekly president’s letter.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 (S.1072) would authorize $56.6 billion for transit, including $2 billion annually for Amtrak, and $255 billion for highways; the remainder would be appropriated for highway safety.

On Feb. 11, the House passed another four-month extension for the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recommended a $375 billion reauthorization bill, but House leaders said they wanted to propose a bill that funds transportation programs at a level similar to the $318 billion passed by the Senate.

Also on Feb. 11, the Bush Administration issued a statement indicating the President’s advisors would recommend a veto of the Senate bill if the funding level was not reduced, according to APTA.