SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California Bus Association is fighting a proposed state law that would allow Monterey Salinas Transit District to provide Amtrak Thruway bus services from Monterey to San Jose, Calif., which is more than 70 miles away.

Under the proposed service, the transit agency would enter into a contract with Caltrans, the state transportation agency, to provide the Amtrak rail feeder service.

The CBA is opposing the proposal on several grounds but primarily because of prohibitions against federally funded transit agencies operating outside of their jurisdictions, said Mike Waters, president of the association and vice president/general manager of CUSA Franciscan Lines and San Francisco Sightseeing.

Additionally, the CBA says the proposal would:

-- Circumvent and change state policy to subsidize commuter bus service.

-- Violate state law that prohibits public transit districts from receiving Amtrak/Caltrans Thruway bus funds for service outside their jurisdictions.

-- Violate federal law that prohibits public transit operators from receiving federal Amtrak funds to operate feeder bus service.

On top of that, says Waters, the staff of the Monterey Salinas Transit has admitted that additional Caltrans funding would not be enough to cover the cost of the proposed service. To make up the different, the transit agency will seek additional money from Congress to fund the route.

"Private, taxpaying motorcoach companies cannot compete against double let alone triple-subsidized public transit districts," Waters said in a letter to members of the California General Assembly.

He said there were several alternatives available from private operators, or Caltrans could be required to implement an interline agreement, where feasible, with existing private motorcoach operators to pick up train passengers along the proposed corridor and to pay a flat rate for each passenger.

For more information, call (916) 835-3036 or (916) 447-8982, or e-mail pane@cwo.com.