If the Government Shuts Down, Will the Trains Still Run?

Transit agencies brace for reduced ridership but will keep running -- for a little while, at least.

1 minute read

April 10, 2011, 7:00 AM PDT

Whether or not transit agencies will have to shut down because of the Federal government's stalemate depends on who you talk to. Streetsblog's Tanya Snyder has the story:

Just a month ago, AASHTO sounded the warning that the transportation sector could lose up to $100 million a day in case of a government shutdown, which now looks all but inevitable. However, Congress's extension of SAFETEA-LU through the end of the fiscal year (September 30) has put their minds at ease. Now, AASHTO spokesperson Tony Dorsey says spending for federal highway programs will continue unabated, despite a shutdown. "At this point," Dorsey said, "we're not anticipating any issues." Still, he said, they're hoping that "should there be a shutdown, it will be a very, very short one."

But that's not the whole story."

Thanks to Tanya Snyder

FULL STORY: Government Shutdown Would Be a Punch in the Gut to Transit Agencies

Friday, April 8, 2011 in Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Transportation United States Transit Budget

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