2004 Adopted Resolutions
72nd Annual Meeting
Boston

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CREATING A FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCE FOR “SMALL START” TRANSIT PROJECTS

     WHEREAS, cities throughout the United States are embracing less expensive, fixed guide way “small start” transit projects like streetcars, trolleys and bus rapid transit as one solution to improving transportation mobility; and

     WHEREAS, today, approximately 75 municipalities in 39 states and the District of Columbia have a streetcar system, have one under construction, or are interested in getting a system; and

     WHEREAS, streetcar systems, with more than 45,000 miles of track prior to World War I, are an important part of our nation’s transportation heritage; and

     WHEREAS, streetcar lines are an inexpensive and effective tool for transforming urban communities, sparking economic development, leveraging private investment, and connecting transit-deficient neighborhoods to regional transit systems; and

     WHEREAS, there is currently no Federal funding source for new “small starts”; and

     WHEREAS, federal rules for “new starts” are overly burdensome to smaller transit projects; and

     WHEREAS, Congress is considering amending TEA-21 to allow “small starts” to access transit capital investment grants,

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors urges Congress to create a Federal funding source to help “small starts”; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors urges Congress to modify Federal rules to expedite “small start” projects.