Congress is in session for only three or four more weeks until the November election. The Wall Street Journal’s Christopher Conkey says that means it’s down to the wire for mass transit funding. One of the Senate energy bills currently up for debate would give $2 billion in public grants to mass transit. A House bill has set aside $1.7 billion for mass transit agencies.

Ridership on trains and buses has increased during the gas price crisis. But the money isn’t exactly pouring in, which means regional transit agencies must consider fare increases, service cuts or both. A beneficent Dept. of Transportation would seem most helpful during an energy crisis. Indeed, it will be a "lesson in Washington" to see who might oppose more money, why they oppose it, and if increased funding is successfully deferred.-MB

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