CDTA representatives rally to oppose federal funding cuts to public transportation. It's a cost saving measure that could sacrifice jobs, raise fares, change routes, and decrease services. Our Erin Vannella reports.

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Riding into traffic, or trouble rather, CDTA looks to avoid the latest bump in the road.

"There are proposals at the congressional level to eliminate one third of all federal funding for public transportation," said CDTA Chief Executive Officer Carm Basile.

So, wearing red and holding signs, Capital Region representatives spent Tuesday urging Congress "Not to X out Public Transit."

"CDTA has about 45,000 boardings every single day so those people will be severely affected," said Basile. "Routes will be eliminated and fares may be raised."

"Our transit riders in this area may not be able to afford to get on the bus," said Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) President and Business Agent Steven Green. "Our employees here at CDTA may be laid off and that's why we need to keep this funding in place."

According to the ATU, despite having passed a six month extension for the surface transportation bill, Congress' proposed cuts could eliminate more than 600,000 jobs nationally in the next six years and several hundred locally.

"We're not sure how specific they're going to be, whether it's bridges and roads," said Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings. "Public transportation in itself can't afford to take any more hits."

It's a hit Capital District leaders don't want to take. Open communication now they said, could prevent widespread hurt.

"CDTA people depend on it to get to work, to doctor's appointments, to schools," said Jennings. "I mean as far as I'm concerned, it's a very poorly thought out recommendation in DC and we want to weigh in early and say stop the nonsense."