Texas Transit Association

Metro’s board Thursday formally approved three Houston corridors for light rail extensions, the first of many steps in the years-long process of obtaining federal funds for the rail expansion.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that $50 million had been allocated in the form of grants to 30 public transit agencies to help enhance security. Selection was based upon ridership and overall track mileage. Texas urban areas received $19,955,485 for Houston, $12,198,661 for Dallas, and $6,301,153 for San Antonio. Regarding transit grants, the Trinity Railway Express, operating between Dallas and Fort Worth, received $800,000.

Updated Nov. 25: The North Central Texas Council of Governments has estimated the Texas portion of TEA-LU to total $2 billion in transit and $18 billion in highway funds for the State of Texas over the six-year reauthorization… should the funding be found.

Original Posting:

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure introduced on Nov. 19 a new six-year, $375 billion transit/highways reauthorization bill to replace TEA-21. Transit’s funding level is proposed to be $69.2 billion, up from TEA-21’s $36.3 billion. TEA-LU? ??Transportaton Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.??

State of Texas would see a 109% increase in transit funding (highways by 81%) from FY03 to reauthorization’s last year, FY2009! The committee estimates job creation in Texas of more than 200,000 by 2009.

There are currently three funding proposals under consideration for federal funding of national highway and transit projects over the next six years:
1) Bush Administration $247 billion
2) U.S. Senate $311 billion
3) U.S. House $375 billion
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Imagine commuter rail in the north Texas Metroplex that is ten times larger than the existing Trinity River Express. That is the level of planning for commuter rail at the North Central Texas Council of Government.
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Planning for growth in Collin County.
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TxDOT Public Transportation Division director Sue Bryant in a letter to FTA §5311 rural transit operators, has indicated that they are moving forward with the FY2004 federal funding application in anticipation of funding. The Division has estimated FY04 funding at FY03 levels until appropriations are finalized.