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A study released today by the American Public Transportation Association highlights how private-sector businesses serving public transit needs hit flat or declining revenues over the past year due to a host of challenges.

Though local transit agency TriMet is a public entity (with some private contracts) and has largely in the past year, it is not entirely immune to the forces hitting the transit businesses.

The businesses have been negatively affected by uncertainty about federal investment in public transit systems, an anemic economy and lack of state and local investment. According to the , more than half of the private businesses that responded to a survey noted they lost more than half of their business with public clients and would have to lay off employees and cut back hiring.

If what is happening in Washington, D.C., is any indication, the situation won’t get any sunnier soon. According to the American Public Transportation Association, U.S House of Representatives is talking about cutting federal investment in public transportation by more than 35 percent, a move that would lead to the loss of 141,000 jobs.