We've written before about the challenge facing public transit as demand for service increases.  The New York Times covered the "rider paradox" in a story this week.  Here in Seattle buses are packed and another fare increase was just approved.  Transit agencies across the country are cutting service and raising fares. 

While the stimulus package winds through Congress it is worth noting the levels of proposed investment in transit ($3b is a potential but not guaranteed figure) versus the public money already doled out to seemingly healthly banks and credit card firms.  As an example, credit card goliath Capitol One received $3.5B in December and promptly bought failing Chevy Chase Bank while claiming they did not need the bailout funds to complete the deal.  That leads to the obvious question of why they needed bailout funds in the first place. 

Hopefully we'll see more federal funds directed towards public transit which, as the Times article points out, facilitates employment for lower income workers.