Mass Transit: FTA Needs to Provide Clear Information and Additional Guidance on the New Starts Ratings Process.

摘要

Under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and subsequent amendments, Congress authorized approximately $10 billion for New Starts projects from fiscal years 1998 through 2003. Because TEA- 21 expires at the end of fiscal year 2003, Congress is currently considering reauthorization legislation that will determine the amount of future funding for the New Starts program and any changes to the programs structure. TEA-21 requires GAO to report each year on FTA's processes and procedures for evaluating, rating, and recommending New Starts projects for federal funding. This report discusses (1) changes made to the New Starts evaluation and ratings process for fiscal year 2004 and issues related to these changes, (2) the number of New Starts projects that were evaluated and rated and which projects FTA proposed for new grant agreements in fiscal year 2004, and (3) the proposed funding commitments and initiatives related to New Starts in the administration's fiscal year 2004 budget proposal and any challenges they might present for future projects.