Transit providers praise funding boost, urge clarity on $35M in unallocated CTF dollars

Transit association representatives told the appropriations subcommittee they appreciate the enacted increases in the Comprehensive Transportation Fund and the additional local bus operating assistance, but they expressed concern about a roughly $35 million amount that remained unallocated in committee materials and about the long-term sustainability of operating support.

Ken Jankowski, president of Mass Trans and general manager of Huron Transit, thanked the committee for the additional funding and said the $45 million operating increase included in the budget ‘‘really helped save transit at the local level for the next year, certainly, or more.’’ He and another Michigan Public Transit (MPT) representative identified in the record as John said the association needs clarity on the $35 million that remains unallocated and requested follow-up conversations with MDOT and legislators to determine whether that funding will be distributed as a supplemental in the current fiscal year or addressed in the next budget cycle.

Committee members acknowledged the concern and the chair said the unallocated amount ‘‘hasn’t disappeared’’ and would be considered during upcoming budget work and future testimony. No allocation decision was made during this meeting; the representatives asked for additional meetings with committee members and MDOT to finalize allocations and to discuss sustaining service amid rising operating costs.

The public-comment exchange closed with committee appreciation and an agreement to reconvene on specific transit funding details in future hearings or staff briefings.