Possible Cuts in MAX is coming, but the In-Town Transit Partnership is coming

Hoover announced after 2 public hearing Tuesday and Wednesday that it's going to cut or  reduce the Metro Area Express (MAX) of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA). 

With sales tax and other revenue down, Hoover trimmed its 2009 budget and anticipates a leaner budget for fiscal year 2010. The city is proposing to provide $50,000 for transit for 2010, mirroring 2009. The authority, also known as MAX, sought $119,155.

Since the BJCTA is funded by the cooperation of municipalities rather than an adequate funding source from the State of Alabama like most states (except Georgia).

On the other hand, there is some positive news in improving public transit in Greater Birmingham with the In-Town Transit Partnership (ITP).  The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) has applied for the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant that would provide 100% funding without a local match for improving the public transit within the City of Birmingham.  The project would be projected to beginning of operation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along with its feeder routes would be 2012.