If Congress is helping bail out the nation’s auto industry, it can lend a hand to mass transit systems, too, Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano figures.

Spano has called on Congress to help out with more funds after The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced it was looking for a 23 percent boost in the revenue it gets from fares and tolls, including Metro-North Railroad tickets and passes.

Here’s the press release from Spano’s office:

SPANO CALLS ON CONGRESS TO HELP MASS TRANSIT IF THEY HELP AUTOMAKER
County Executive says federal assistance may prevent need for fare increases that will hurt riders

Westchester County Executive Andy Spano today called on Congress to help mass transit as it works on a bailout of the country’s automakers.
In a letter to Westchester’s Congressional delegation, Spano argued that thousands of Metro North and Bee-Line bus riders will be hurt by the 23 percent increase in fares proposed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. He added that the federal government could help the environment not only by holding automakers to higher manufacturing standards, but by keeping fares down to encourage the use of mass transit.
“We are all aware of the environmental benefits of mass transit and how much fuel and carbon emissions are offset by those who use it,’’ said Spano in the letter. “ It stands to reason that as Congress decides whether to bailout the auto industry, that it take a long and hard look to see what dollars can be identified to help mass transit and the millions who use it.  If $25 billion can be found to ensure the auto industry is preserved and the assembly lines are kept running, then unquestionably the same effort can be applied to those who travel via our rails and buses.’’
MTA officials are scheduled to address the county’s Board of Legislators on Monday about the proposed fare increase and its impact on county riders. The county estimates more than 32 million people ride the Bee-Line each year. Another 81 million Westchester residents ride Metro North each year.
“It seems ironic that at a time when we are trying to encourage people to use mass transit that we continue to ask the riders to bear more cost and inconvenience,’’ said Spano. “Rather than find new ways to create incentives to choose mass transit, service cuts and fare increases only punish the very users who responsibly look to it as an alternative to the automobile.’’