China goes forward... [April, 2007 - WorldWatch]
The Chinese government will provide a total of 1.3 billion yuan (US$167 million) this year to help Beijing’s bus companies reduce fares to only 1 yuan (US$0.13) per ride. Passengers and students using the “smart card,” an electronic debit card for transportation, will pay even less—only 40 cents (US$0.05) and 20 cents (US$.025), respectively, Xinhua News reports.
U.S.A. goes backward... [February 2008 APTA]
The budget request also recommends that Congress authorize the U.S. Treasury to transfer funds from the Mass Transit Account (MTA) of the Highway Trust Fund to the Highway Account to address the projected impending insolvency of the Highway Account next year. The Administration estimates that this could require a transfer of up to $3.2 billion out of the Mass Transit Account by the end of FY 2009.
