March 22, 2010

The next federal authorization of the surface transportation law presents an opportunity to realize the transportation efficiencies and advantages that cities and their metropolitan areas offer beginning with a significant increase in investments in transit capital projects to begin meeting the escalating demand for more public transportation and mitigate decades of underinvestment. Mayors, in your discussions with your House and Senate members demand the following reforms in the next federal surface transportation bill.

The current unequal local match requirements for new road projects and new transit projects funded by the federal government should be made equal, eliminating the practice of a dual standard between the modes.

The definition of local match for transit projects should be expanded to include the portfolio of local investments in transit networks related to the Federal Transit Administration's FTA eligible project.

The FTA's evaluation criteria for new transit projects should be updated to include real estate value capture and land use and environmental benefits associated with the project.

Federal support of transit operations should be restored to capitalize on the unprecedented growth in ridership.

For additional information on the Conference of Mayors transportation priorities, contact Ron Thaniel, Assistant Executive Director for Transportation Policy, at rthaniel@usmayors.org.