Subway Funds Shrink : Only $85 Million OKd by Senate Panel

In an unexpected setback for Metro Rail backers, a key Senate subcommittee on Thursday approved a bill earmarking only $85 million next year for the Los Angeles subway project, $32 million less than in an earlier House-approved 1986 transportation bill.

The same subcommittee gave a boost to Southland bus riders by voting to maintain current levels of aid to local bus systems--a move that reduces the likelihood that RTD will impose a new round of fare hikes and service cutbacks early next year.

On Metro Rail, the Southern California Rapid Transit District, which would build and operate the downtown-to-North Hollywood subway, had hoped to get at least the $117 million for 1986 earmarked by the House.

“We were disappointed it was not higher,” said RTD President Nikolas Patsaouras. But he predicted that the appropriation will be increased when Senate and House conferees sit down next month to reconcile differences.

In anticipation of a fight, the RTD board of directors Thursday approved another $86,000 to pay for Washington lobbyists--bringing its lobbying tab since 1983 to nearly $800,000, primarily for Metro Rail.

Sen. Mark Andrews (R-N.D.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on transportation, said the problem for full funding for Metro Rail is lack of money. He added that Metro Rail still “did pretty good” because it received more than any other new transit project.

Like the House bill, the Senate version includes language aimed at forcing the Reagan Administration, which opposes the project, to release an additional $129 million in previously approved funds.

However, Andrews’ subcommittee did not include language adopted by the House that would direct the federal Urban Mass Transportation Administration to commit to providing $429 million, the remaining federal share of the first $1.2-billion, 4.4-mile segment of the subway. Metro Rail backers want the House language because it would assure that funds will continue flowing to finish the initial segment between Union Station and Alvarado Street.

The full-funding language will be an important issue in the two-house conference committee. Andrews strongly opposes the House version because he said it gives special long-term funding guarantees to selected cities--Los Angeles, Miami and Seattle. “Somehow or another it doesn’t smack of fair play to tie the hands of Congress for just three cities,” he said.

Fighting alongside Metro Rail backers for the full funding guarantee will be Andrews’ powerful counterpart in the House, Rep. William Lehman (D-Fla.), who heads the House Appropriations subcommittee on transportation. Lehman wants to assure that funds are available for a large commuter rail project in Miami, his hometown.

RTD officials had expected a 10% to 15% cut in the appropriation for bus operations, which would have meant a $5-million to $7-million cut to the RTD.

Patsaouras said the transit district will still hold a public hearing Saturday on proposed fare hikes or cutbacks in service on about 51 lines because Congress and the President have not finalized the transportation spending bill.

He said RTD will continue reviewing the possibility of reducing or shifting to local cities the funding burden for some of its least cost-effective routes.

Times Staff Writer Rich Connell reported from Los Angeles and Bob Secter from Washington.