WASHINGTON The United States Senate today approved U.S. Senator Jack Reeds (D-RI) request for a 74 % increase in Rhode Islands federal transit funding. Reed is the leading Democrat on the Transportation Subcommittee of the Senate Banking Committee. The increase in federal funding for Rhode Island was approved as part of the TEA-21 transportation reauthorization bill which authorizes transportation funding from fiscal year (FY) 2004 through FY 2009. Over the 6 year life of the bill Rhode Island is authorized to receive $114 million. Reed worked in the Senate to increase Rhode Islands share of federal funding, which stood at $109 million, or a 67% increase in funds, when the bill came out of the Banking Committee. Reed worked with Chairman Wayne Allard (R-CO) of the Transportation Subcommittee and with Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Ranking Member Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) of the Banking Committee to ensure Rhode Islands increase in its federal transit funding even though the national average increase is only 48%.Transportation is a key to Rhode Islands economic success, Reed stated. Ensuring that people can get to work is vital to a productive economy and this funding is essential to the continued growth and economic prosperity of our state.These funds can be used for capital expenditures and preventative maintenance but not for operational costs. The Rhode Island Public Transportation Administration (RIPTA) will receive the majority of these funds, while a portion will also go to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RI DOT) which oversees the states commuter rail contract.