Thomas E. Petri: “The Transit Operating Flexibility Act, the bill before us, is bipartisan legislation that will allow the transit systems…”

“The Transit Operating Flexibility Act, the bill before us, is bipartisan legislation that will allow the transit systems in 52 communities that grew to more than 200,000 in population as defined by the 2000 census to retain flexibility in the use of their Federal transit formula grants in budget year 2003. H.R. 5157 was favorably reported without amendment by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on July 24 of this year. The bill now has a total of 45 original cosponsors. Legislation was developed with the assistance and cooperation of the Federal Transit Administration, and has been endorsed by the American Public Transportation Association. The 2000 census made wholesale changes in urbanized area designations. Some of the communities that are crossing 200,000 in population simply grew since 1990. Others were absorbed into nearby major metropolitan areas. Yet others were combined with another nearby small city. Many of these communities were not aware they were going to cross 200,000 until the final urbanized area notice was published in the Federal Register in May of 2002.”