![10 Percent Funding Hike For Regional Transportation Authorities Sought By Pignatelli, Barrett](http://townsquare.media/site/922/files/2018/04/GBUS.jpg?w=980&q=75)
10 Percent Funding Hike For Regional Transportation Authorities Sought By Pignatelli, Barrett
With the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority facing a budget shortfall, and potential service cuts, local legislators are stepping up to push for more funding.
State Reps. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and John Barrett III, D-North Adams, have filed an amendment to the House of Representatives budget that would increase funding for regional transportation authorities by 10 percent.
The Berkshire Eagle reports the amendment would see state funding for transit authorities rise from $80.4 million to $88.81 million — or 1 percent of the penny of the sales tax revenue" set aside for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority announced looming reductions in service because of a budget gap of $378,400 recently.
Gov. Charlie Baker's budget called for $80.4 million in funding for transportation authorities, as did the House Ways and Means Committee budget. From that, the BRTA would receive $2.5 million.
Transportation authorities in Worcester, the Pioneer Valley, and Franklin County also are facing deficits.
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