Doomsday Across America

Following up on Sarah’s post about transit funding woes in Illinois, this CNN segment from earlier in the month brings home the effect of service cuts and fare hikes in St. Louis. Similar scenarios are playing out all over the country. According to the latest tally from Transportation for America, 85 transit systems serving 22 million riders are facing some combination of shrinking service and higher fares.

Let’s not forget that House Democrats tried to include funds for transit
service in the stimulus bill, but never received backing from the White House. Now we’re seeing millions of transit riders grappling with the consequences of that decision.

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We're in for a lot of empty trains — and economic catastrophe — if we don't get a better relief bill soon. Photo: Patrick Cashin / Metropolitan Transportation Authoriity

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