'Go Rio' program possibly in jeopardy
Mark Farias
Issue date: 11/29/06 Section: News
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Rio students may lose their free bus passes because it's been said that Southern California still stands to lose more than $111million in federal funding for hospitals to road improvements this upcoming year as Democrats plan to strip legislators' pet projects like the 'Go Rio' program that would be financed under the national budget.
And as Congress failed to pass several bills that would appropriate an estimated or potential $200,000 to the pilot program of federal funding, it's left college officials and some students in a quagmire to find out what other type of assistance can be provided and utilized by the college community incase of further rejection for funding.
The "Go Rio" student transportation program, which had just been started this past Fall, had provided free bussing for an estimated 1,100 full-time students, and it may be in jeopardy due to the matter that the programs funding may be cut as Congress plans to eliminate similar pet projects in order to rectify the national budget according to recent reports.
Luckily for the full-time students of Rio Hondo, the college has already invested $80,000 to keep the "Go Rio" program running throughout the remainder of the year, technically throughout the spring semester.
But any funding beyond that point is seen as obscure and uncertain until Congress meets next year to discuss appropriation bills.
The program was initially created to help lighten the amount of traffic congestion caused by an excess amount of cars, which has recently been exacerbated by road construction.
The Go Rio Program was also meant to ease the amount of commuter traffic and pollutants emitted from their vehicles on Workman Mill Road at the front of the Rio Hondo College Entrance.
But until then, the Rio Hondo College officials have begun to explore potential alternatives to replace the program if it's made erratum, to further assist the college and students in alleviating congestion and to free up parking, along side that, helping the environment by eliminating a pollution factor.
All is speculation until Congress reconvenes in February, were they may find themselves with a restored fund capable of providing financial assistance to this young program.
The Go Rio program was also an attempt to bolster and to encourage public transportation with the ideology that it would be beneficial for the environment, and your pocket, by eliminating pollutants and providing people with an alternative to driving and using their gas.
All will continue as normal and the "GO Rio" program's buses will begin running January 27.
And as Congress failed to pass several bills that would appropriate an estimated or potential $200,000 to the pilot program of federal funding, it's left college officials and some students in a quagmire to find out what other type of assistance can be provided and utilized by the college community incase of further rejection for funding.
The "Go Rio" student transportation program, which had just been started this past Fall, had provided free bussing for an estimated 1,100 full-time students, and it may be in jeopardy due to the matter that the programs funding may be cut as Congress plans to eliminate similar pet projects in order to rectify the national budget according to recent reports.
Luckily for the full-time students of Rio Hondo, the college has already invested $80,000 to keep the "Go Rio" program running throughout the remainder of the year, technically throughout the spring semester.
But any funding beyond that point is seen as obscure and uncertain until Congress meets next year to discuss appropriation bills.
The program was initially created to help lighten the amount of traffic congestion caused by an excess amount of cars, which has recently been exacerbated by road construction.
The Go Rio Program was also meant to ease the amount of commuter traffic and pollutants emitted from their vehicles on Workman Mill Road at the front of the Rio Hondo College Entrance.
But until then, the Rio Hondo College officials have begun to explore potential alternatives to replace the program if it's made erratum, to further assist the college and students in alleviating congestion and to free up parking, along side that, helping the environment by eliminating a pollution factor.
All is speculation until Congress reconvenes in February, were they may find themselves with a restored fund capable of providing financial assistance to this young program.
The Go Rio program was also an attempt to bolster and to encourage public transportation with the ideology that it would be beneficial for the environment, and your pocket, by eliminating pollutants and providing people with an alternative to driving and using their gas.
All will continue as normal and the "GO Rio" program's buses will begin running January 27.