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Yesterday, Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced the Public Transportation Preservation Act of 2010 (S. 3412), which would provide emergency federal funding for transit agencies to “help reverse fare increases and service cuts,” the senators said in a joint statement.

This bill will authorize $2 billion for transit agencies nationwide to help them close budget gaps or improve infrastructure. Agencies could use the funds to reduce fare increases and restore services that were cut after January 2009, or to prevent future service cuts or fare hikes through September 2011.

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) officials commended the senators for introducing the measure and pledged to “strongly support” the legislation in a statement issued yesterday.
 
“America’s transit systems are facing an unprecedented crisis, as diminishing state and local resources to support operating budgets are leading to scores of service reductions, fare increases and employee layoffs,” said APTA President William Millar. “The Public Transportation Preservation Act of 2010 will provide urgently needed funding to alleviate the financial challenges facing public transportation systems as a result of the recession.”