SUPPORT OF CHANGES TO CHARTER REGULATIONS IN THE REAUTHORIZATION
OF THE TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY (TEA-21)
WHEREAS,
public transportation moves nearly 30 million people a day in
the United States and transit ridership has increased 20 percent since 1995;
and
WHEREAS,
transit riders represent a cross-section of America ranging from the very
young on their first outing to the zoo to individuals transitioning from
welfare to the workplace, to seniors depending on transit services to get them
to the grocery store, medical appointments or family gatherings; and
WHEREAS,
since 1987, when the current federal charter bus regulations were issued,
public transportation agencies have been largely unable to provide
community-based transportation to groups such as local governments, and
nonprofit groups such as boys and girls clubs, the Kiwanis Club, local chambers
of commerce, firefighters, and local charities; and
WHEREAS,
Congress directed in the 1991 ISTEA that FTA provide more flexibility for
public transportation agencies in the charter service regulation through a
demonstration program, and FTA withdrew the proposal for recommended changes on
September 13, 2001; and
WHEREAS,
there is inconsistency in what is considered charter service, and service
found to be mass transit in one region of the country could be considered
prohibited “charter service” in another; and
WHEREAS,
public transportation agencies rely increasingly upon local funding to
support their operations, and local governments and community groups grow
increasingly frustrated that they cannot respond to community needs; and
WHEREAS,
public transportation agencies that receive federal funds should not compete
with private over-the road carriers, they should also be allowed to provide
community-based transportation to events, organizations and individuals so long
as the service is of public interest in nature; and
WHEREAS,
much of the problem is created by the way in which the charter regulations
are structured and can be resolved to protect both private industry and the
local community; and
WHEREAS,
any proposal to penalize public transportation agencies without
corresponding clarifications to the charter service regulations would undermine
the ability of cities to receive community-based transportation,
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conferences of Mayors
supports changes to the charter service regulations that would allow transit
agencies to provide transportation service to local governments and social
service agencies in the community, thereby creating a bright line distinction
that removes the transit agency from the subjective confusion involved in the
existing regulatory process; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Mayors urges the
Administration and Congress to clarify the charter service regulations to allow
public transportation agencies to provide community-based service directly to
local governments and social service agencies; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that consideration be given to the concerns
of the largest public transit agencies regarding their capacity to provide such
service.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 