NYC Aid Package Includes Ferry Funds

Congress gave final approval of legislation to aid New York City in coping with the damages and economic dislocations caused by the terrorist strikes. The price tag for the total package exceeds $11 billion. Included is $100 million for "critical expansion of interstate ferry services necessitated by the attacks of September 11." The money is derived from the Federal Highway Trust Fund, which is supported by federal excise taxes on gasoline and other fuels. More than 67,000 commuters per day used to ride the PATH transit system below the Hudson River from New Jersey to the World Trade Center; the PATH network is now out of commission. Congress intends that expanded ferry services will help "take up the slack" for the years until restoration of the PATH system is complete