(CNN) -
The fate of some US transit agencies may be at stake in the upcoming presidential election.
Public transport systems are in dire straits as the Covid-19 pandemic reduced their number of passengers and their revenue.
They have more federal aid to survive until passenger numbers return to normal.
Most expect to cut staff or services unless they receive additional funding, according to a recent survey by the American Public Transportation Association, which represents more than 1,500 public and private transportation organizations.
And 8 in 10 large agencies are considering delaying or canceling new projects to address budget constraints, the survey found.
"It could be life or death," said a chief executive of a major transit agency, who requested that CNN Business not use his name, fearing retaliation if President Donald Trump were reelected.
Congress provided $ 25 billion in aid to transportation agencies under the CARES Act, but the vast majority of those funds have already been spent, according to the American Public Transportation Association.
Since then, the association has asked for $ 32 billion in additional aid to aid transit systems.
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A stimulus proposal with transit assistance was approved by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives earlier this month, but no deal has been reached with the Senate and the Trump administration.
It seems unlikely that transportation agencies will receive new funding until after the election, if they do.
The office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
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Some experts say that funding for public transportation has become increasingly political, adding to the problems for transportation systems already struggling to survive the pandemic.
"For most of my life, red administrations have favored roads and blue has favored public transportation, but the contrast has never been as stark as it is today," Jeff Speck, urban planner and author of the book «Walkable City».
"[Agencies] just have to hope that a blue victory will get federal policy back to worrying about poor people who can't afford cars."
A grant from the Federal Transit Administration that was announced this month will take into consideration, according to a federal document detailing the grant, a September Trump administration memorandum asking to review funding for state and local governments that receive federal funds. that "allow anarchy and violence and destruction in American cities."
A Portland, Ore., Spokesman, who was named in the memorandum and outlines transit options like buses, light rail and commuter rail, said the city will review its legal options around the administration's appointment.
Jarrett Walker, a Portland, Oregon-based transportation consultant, told CNN Business that he is concerned about the ripple effects that public transportation difficulties could have across the country.
"Many transit agencies do not know how they will get through 2021 without further help," Walker said.
“It is a disaster for the whole country if New York cannot function.
It is a disaster for the entire country if Washington, DC cannot function.
Spokesmen for the transit systems in New York and Washington, DC declined to comment for this story.
Its financial troubles have arisen in the wake of an unprecedented pandemic.
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Walker recalled when he began monitoring transportation closely in the 1970s, the Republican governor of Oregon and US senators supported efforts to invest in Portland's light rail, limit expansion, and replace a freeway with a park.
"I'm looking forward to going back to a time when even elected officials who did not represent cities understood that cities were important and that public transport, which is critical to running a city, has to operate," said Walker. .
The executive director of the main transit agency indicated that the stakes in the elections go beyond potential financial support.
The CEO said there is an overnight difference between the Trump administration and Democratic candidate Joe Biden on the issue of masks, which the CEO believes are critical to restoring passenger numbers in transit.
A New York Times report notes that the White House blocked an order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to require masks on public transportation.
CNN Business has not corroborated that report.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
New York doesn't work without mass transit.
Without a massive infusion of federal aid, we won't be able to keep New York moving forward.
#Save Transit.
Save New York.
pic.twitter.com/wmAgceWllv
- MTA.
Wear a Mask.
Stop the Spread.
(@MTA) August 5, 2020
Biden has said he will insist on wearing masks in transportation.
The CEO believes that if passengers know that masks are required, they are likely to feel safer and more likely to choose to ride public transport.
Traffic officials interviewed for this story noted that Trump's $ 1 trillion infrastructure plan he promised in his 2016 presidential campaign has not been delivered.
They say that Biden, a regular train passenger, seems to have a stronger transportation plan and is more likely to stick with it because of his background.
Biden has called for all American cities with 100,000 or more residents to be provided with high-quality, zero-emission public transportation, such as bus lines and light rail.
Michael Allegra, a retired Utah transportation official who previously led efforts to build the Red State's train and bus service, recalled high hopes for Trump's infrastructure plans.
While he said he saw no ground was lost in Utah, the necessary infrastructure investments didn't happen either.
Allegra said she is personally optimistic about both candidates, noting that Biden rode Amtrak during his campaign.
"We all look at those little things and say that Biden and his team understand something about the value of public transportation," Allegra said.
"We are optimistic on both fronts, but certainly with Biden."
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