RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF TRANSIT FUNDING FROM THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND
WHEREAS, in 2000, Americans took 9.4 billion trips using public transportation, an increase of
2.1 percent more than the previous year, outpacing growth in other travel modes and over the past
five years, transit usage is up over 20 percent; and
WHEREAS, transit riders represent a cross-section of Americans and come from every ethnic
group, age group and income level; and
WHEREAS, there is a growing investment need; the American Public Transportation Association
in 2000 documented needs in excess of $42 billion a year for capital, planning and research funds;
and
WHEREAS, public expenditures to operate, maintain and invest in public transportation systems
in America will amount to $15.4 billion each year, according to the 1997 study "Dollars and Sense:
The Economic Case for Public Transportation in America," by the Campaign for Efficient
Passenger Transportation; and
WHEREAS, investments in transit have high returns, according to the 1999 study "Public
Transportation and the Nation's Economy," by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. which estimated that
for every $10 million invested in public transportation, more than $15 million is saved in
transportation costs to both highway and public transportation users, including operating, fuel and
congestion costs; and
WHEREAS, since 1982 all new federal gas tax dollars going into the trust fund have been divided
between highways and transit in an 80 percent highways, 20 percent transit fashion, with 15.44
cents currently going to the highway account and 2.86 cents going into the transit account; and
WHEREAS, any plan to move a portion of transit funding out of the trust fund will undermine the
ability of cities to fund significant transit projects to address congestion and air quality; and
WHEREAS, there are discussions in Congress about ending the use of Highway Trust Fund
monies for mass transit and applying all trust fund resources only to highways,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors
opposes any plan to take the Highway Trust Fund monies away from the transit program, and
urges the Administration and Congress to maintain at least the current allocation of 20 percent for
transit from the Highway Trust Fund, and should give serious consideration to raising the transit
share above the current 20 percent; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Mayors urges the Administration and
Congress to retain the current Federal Transit Administration Local Match Percentage of 20
percent as it recognizes the large investment cities dedicate for transit-related transportation
projects and is consistent with the local match required for highway projects; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Mayors calls on the Administration and
Congress to suballocate federal transit funds directly to metropolitan areas where it is presently not
doing so due to state DOTs failing to allocate the transit funds to metropolitan areas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Mayors urge the Administration and
Congress to increase in transit investment to reflect current and future needs.
©2003 U.S. Conference of Mayors 
