Yesterday, 
Governor Rick Snyder released his proposed budget for Michigan for FY2012. While there are many hard cuts proposed, transit is held harmless in the Governor’s proposed budget. Funding for local transit service is maintained at this year’s level, as is rail passenger funding. There is a moderate increase in funding for buying new buses and for intercity bus service.
However, don’t pop out the champagne yet. The legislature still needs to debate and vote on the budgets and transit funding may well be threatened at that time. So stay tuned!
It is critically important that funds are not taken out of the already shrinking state transit fund, especially after substantial losses in recent years. Local transit agencies desperately need all the funding they can get in order to maintain vital local service.