Our Campaign for Transit Operations Funding


Federal funding for transit operations is critical

Cities all over the country need the upcoming Federal Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill to address the deep service cuts and fare increases that are having a devastating effect on transit dependent people.

  • The best economic stimulus. Attracting thousands of new riders will relieve the public health and climate attack on our lungs and our future. Operating transit services that meet the most basic needs for the lowest income people is the best form of stimulus.
  • For the climate. In order to truly tackle the climate responsibility we hold inside the United States, to reduce auto use dramatically in the next thirty years, we need to keep people on the bus or the train.
  • Protecting and creating jobs. Funding for transit operations creates almost twice as many jobs as capital spending, and reduces the need to increase fares and decrease service hours.

Transit systems are crumbling before our eyes. Join our campaign to secure the federal funding to operate and maintain them.

TRPT transit operations Blogs

  • Breakthrough at the US Social Forum
    Crystal McMillan

    In Detroit Michigan from June 22nd-June 26th, TRPT gathered with more than 15, 000 people for the U.S. Social Forum. Described not as a conference, but a political process to align and strengthen our communities, the Social Forum embarked with the motto: Another World is Possible, another U.S. is Necessary, another Detroit is happening.

  • TRPT leads workshops at "A Seat at the Table" TEN Conference
    Crystal McMillan

    Members of Transit Riders for Public Transportation, the Transportation Equity Network, Bus Riders Union, Urban Habitat, Public Advocates and WEACT led four workshops earlier this week (3/15-16) at the Transportation Equity Network's conference "A Seat at the Table."

  • An LA Bus Rider Goes To Capitol Hill
    Crystal McMillan
    On March 16th I had the chance to participate in the Transportation Equity Network's Advocacy Day in D.C. One of the most significant events of my visit was a press conference called by Senator Sherrod Brown, Congressman Russ Carnahan and Congresswoman Betty Sutton to introduce Senator Brown's Transit Operations Marker Bill.
  • GUEST BLOG: Update from Chicago--senators, doomsday layoffs
    Mike Pitula

    In January, the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) of Chicago was proud to take part in the TRPT's National Advocacy Day for Civil Rights. We met with the staff of Senator Durbin and Senator Burris, as well as the staff of Representatives Davis, Gutierrez, Jackson, Jr, Lipinski, and Quigley. Because senators’ number one priority right now is jobs, we stressed...

  • L.A. County MTA Board support H.R. 2746 (Carnahan Bill)
    Sunyoung Yang

    MTA approved to support H.R. 2746 (Carnahan Bill) at the September MTA board meeting. This bill will allow local transit agencies to use anywhere from 30-50% of the transit funding they receive from the federal government to operate their public transportation system.

  • TRPT National Day of Action
    Ian Sawyer
    Transit advocates, environmental justice and civil rights groups come together in Chicago, Los Angeles, Oakland, New York City and Portland to call their congressmembers to support H.R.2746 to combat the adverse impact the govenment's auto-centric policies have on communities around the US.
  • National Day of Action Slide Show
    Gabriel Strachota

    See pics of BRU members fighting for more operations funds from the federal transportion bill.

  • TRPT Packs D.C. Briefing Room: Advocacy Day 2009 Report
    Francisca Porchas

    On Tuesday, June 9th, ten different organizations from across the country, including our allies from Transportation Equity Network (TEN) joined Transit Riders for Public Transportation (TRPT) for their first national Advocacy Day on the Hill.  The first half of the day organizers from across the country met with at least 30 meetings with the staff of congressional leaders. The Advocacy Day culminated with a Congressional Briefing hosted by TRPT and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee member, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano on the importance of greatly expanding permanent transit operating assistance funding in the next federal surface transportation act...

Making the case

Jeff Rosenberg, legislative director for the Amalgamated Transit Union, explains why transit operations funding is so crucial


Operations Bills in Progress


H.R. 2746--House version

Title: To amend title 49 to allow for additional transportation assistance grants
Sponsor: Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO)
Introduced: 6/8/2009
More info: Click here to see text of bill; all 105 co-sponsors

S. 3189--Senate version

Title: A bill to amend title 49 to allow for additional transportation assistance grants
Sponsor: Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Introduced: 3/26/2010
More info: Click here to see text of bill; co-sponsors

Current Operations News

Operations Cuts Across the Country

Map coming soon