public mass transportation studies

public mass transportation studies Sec. 138. (a) The Secretary shall, in cooperation with the Governor of each State and appropriate local officials, make an evaluation of that portion of the 1972 National Transportation Report, pertaining to public mass transportation. Such evaluation shall include all urban areas. The evaluation shall include but not be limited to the following: (1) Refining the public mass transportation needs contained in such report. (2) Developing a program to accomplish the needs of each urban area for public mass transportation. (3) Analyzing the existing funding capabilities of Federal, State, and local governments for meeting such needs. (4) Analyzing other funding capabilities of Federal, State, and local governments for meeting such needs. (5) Determining the operating and maintenance costs relating to the public mass transportation system. (6) Determining and comparing fare structures of all public mass transportation systems. The Secretary shall, not later than July 1, 1974, report to Congress the results of this evaluation together with his recommendations for necessary legislation. (b) The Secretary shall conduct a study of revenue mechanisms, including a tax on fuels used in the provision of urban mass transportation service, and an additional gasoline tax imposed in urban areas, which could be used now or in the future to finance transportation activities receiving financial assistance from the Highway Trust Fund. Such study shall include an analysis of the magnitude of the various potential sources of user tax revenues, the rates at which such taxes could be levied (including possible differential rates), the mechanisms for collection of such taxes, the incidence of such taxes, and the potential impact on transit usage caused by such taxes. The Secretary shall report to the Congress the findings of his study by no later than the 180th day after the date of enactment of this section. (c) There is hereby authorized not to exceed $10,000,000 to carry out this section.