; (2) use of mass transit by both residents of and visitors to the national capital area is substantially affected by the prices charged for mass transit services, prices that are substantially affected by labor costs, since more than 70 percent of operating costs are attributable to labor costs; (3) labor costs incurred in providing mass transit in the national capital area have increased at an alarming rate and are unsustainable in light of the financial condition of interstate Compact agencies providing mass transit services in the national capital area; (4) higher operating costs incurred for public transit in the national capital area cannot be offset by increasing costs to patrons, since this often discourages ridership and thus undermines the public interest in promoting the use of public transit; (5) higher operating costs incurred for public transit in the national capital area cannot be offset by service cuts since this undermines the public interest in promoting the use of public transit and could impact public safety; (6) spiraling labor costs cannot be offset by the governmental entities that are responsible for subsidy payments for public transit services since local governments face other substantial financial obligations; (7) labor costs cannot be increased during periods of time when an interstate Compact agency operating in the national capital area providing public transportation is financially stressed taking into account operating costs, legacy benefit obligations, capital needs, and reserve levels