Finally, the federal government is responsible for creating a law that will help the transportation industry. On June 24 President Barack Obama signed the Supplemental Appropriations Act for 2009, making it a law that will provide some much needed relief to transit agencies around the country that have suffered employee lay offs or compromised service during these difficult economic times.

"This is a great victory for transit," said TWU International President Little.

The new law includes a provision allowing up to ten percent of each amount apportioned in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for city and sub-urban formula programs to be used for operating assistance.

In the past, there has too frequently been a deficiency in operating because transit agencies, most of which are publically owned, have not been granted enough funds for operating functions. But now...

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