Communication and Management Problems Hinder the Planning Process for Major Mass Transit Projects

Gao ID: CED-79-82 June 5, 1979

The Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) awards federal grants to state and local authorities to plan and implement various mass transit projects. Nearly two-thirds of the $8.4 billion in capital grants awarded through fiscal year 1978 by this agency were for the construction, extension, or modernization of intracity rail systems. Federal funding authority for such investments is discretionary, so metropolitan areas must vie for available funds. Due to the potential demand for its funds and concern about its ability to finance these projects, UMTA, since 1974, has required analysis of rail and nonrail alternatives when intracity rail projects are proposed so that a cost-effective option can be selected. This policy was formalized in September 1976.

Even though UMTA had been requiring analysis studies of rail and nonrail alternatives to be made on major projects since 1974, UMTA has not developed guidelines to help project sponsors develop studies acceptable to UMTA. As a result of the lack of guidance and effective communication, project sponsors have conducted studies inconsistent with what UMTA wanted.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Oliver W. Krueger Team: General Accounting Office: Community and Economic Development Division Phone: (202) 275-4914


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