Number C-02-17
12-18-02
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U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Transit
Administration |
Administrator |
400 Seventh St. S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590 |
Dear Colleague:
As you know, the Department of Transportation’s FY 2003 Appropriations bill is one of the 11 remaining spending bills to be considered when the new Congress convenes in January 2003. Congress recently passed the fifth Continuing Resolution (CR) that keeps the Government in operation through January 11, 2003. Under the CR, the total funding available to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is about 28 percent of our FY 2002 appropriation.
Until an FY 2003 spending bill has been signed or until the length of the CR provides a meaningful level of funding for each grantee, FTA does not plan to issue apportionments of new funds under our formula programs -- Urbanized Area Formula (section 5307), Nonurbanized Formula (section 5311), Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (section 5310), or Fixed Guideway Modernization funds (section 5309). I would note, however, that there remains available for obligation $4.6 billion in carryover resources from previous years’ appropriations that can be used in many areas to meet transit needs. FTA staff and I remain committed to our goal of approving these funds within 60 days of submission of a complete application.
Even with $4.6 billion in carryover funds available, I am sensitive to the fact that some transit operators may count on receiving FY 2003 FTA formula funds during the first part of the fiscal year to meet contractual or other financial commitments, or even to meet the day-to-day operating costs of their service. Therefore, I want you to know that if your transit system is in immediate need of Federal formula funding, we will make a portion of your estimated formula apportionment funding level available until full year apportionments can be provided. If you are in need of this assistance, please notify your FTA Regional Administrator, who will be happy to work with you to address your situation.
FTA is committed to doing all that we can to minimize the effects of operating under a CR on our Nation’s transit systems and your ability to serve the riding public.
Sincerely,
Jennifer L. Dorn
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