The American Public Transportation Association believes middle class Americans will face increased commuting costs if Congress does not act to extend the transit commuter benefit by the end of the year. In a statement, the APTA says that 70 percent of those who rely on public transit have annual incomes from $15,000 to $99,000. APTA President William Millar said unless Congress acts, “a financial bias in the tax code against public transit use will be reinstated.” The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act established parity between parking and transit/vanpool benefits. The APTA is calling on congressional members to permanently extend the maximum transit commuter tax benefit to the level equal to the parking tax benefit. Millar adds that the benefit has become “an essential tool for many working families in helping to balance their budgets.” For more, visit www.apta.com.
