Local transit leaders gathered today to urge federal lawmakers against slashing funding for transportation projects.

The latest version of the Republican-controlled House surface transportation bill would cut funding for Bay Area transit agencies by 30 percent, including a plan to nix nearly $1 billion in grant money for San Francisco Central Subway project.

As part of a nationwide campaign, officials from BART, AC Transit and Muni gathered at the Embarcadero BART Station on Tuesday morning to rally support for public transit funding. Those agencies are backing the Senate version of the surface transportation bill, led by California Sen. Barbara Boxer, that would maintain current funding levels for Bay Area transit operators.

Organized by the American Public Transportation Association, transit agencies across the country are amassing today to urge lawmakers to support Boxer’s Senate bill.

wreisman@sfexaminer.com