The Pennsylvania House of Representatives late Tuesday passed a transportation bill that adds $2.4 billion over five years to fix the state's aging infrastructure and boost mass transit.

The move, which came less than 24 hours after lawmakers twice rejected the same bill, resulted from seven House members changing their votes from nay to yea.Those representatives were Michael Peifer, Monroe; Seth Grove, York; Mark Keller, Franklin; Karen Boback, Columbia; and Stan Saylor, York, all Republicans. Democrats who switched were Mike Surla, Lancaster, and Nick Kotik, Allegheny.Local lawmakers who opposed the bill included Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon; Julie Harhart, R-Lehigh-Northampton; Jerry Knowles, R-Schuylkill; Mike Tobash, R-Schuylkill; and Neal goodman, D-Schuylkill.Heffley has said he opposes the bill because the proposed gas tax hike would be too expensive for rural residents who commute to work."We need to do something with roads and bridges, but the increases in the bill were too high," he said. "It really would have been a huge burden on the taxpayers of Carbon County," he said.Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe, voted in favor of the bill.This time, the bill passed 104-95. It now goes to the Senate for consideration. It would allocate $1.8 billion to shore up the state's deteriorating bridges and highways; $500 million in new money to mass transit, and about $150 million to air, sea, rail transportation and bike paths.The amended bill, sponsored by Rep. Nick Micozzie, R-Delaware, and strongly supported by Gov. Tom Corbett, carries a gradual increase in the gas tax, up to 28 cents a gallon over five years to fuel the lion's share of the costs. It would be the first hike in at least a decade. The bill would also increase the $36 vehicle registration fee by $2 in two years, and gives counties the option of imposing a $5 fee on every vehicle registered within their boundaries. the revenue would go toward local road projects.The bill also would hike the fees imposed for traffic violations by an average of $15 to $25, and increase the cost of vanity plates from the current $20 to $76. It would also increase the cost of commercial hauling permits, and the cost of obtaining accident reports from state police.The bill would also raise the threshold for prevailing wage from the current $25,000 to $100,000, likely a point of contention as it heads to the Senate.Corbett issued a press release after the vote."Today, the House of Representatives made a dramatic choice to invest in the future of Pennsylvania. In doing so, they have set the stage for the safety of our children and the economic prosperity for Pennsylvania," he wrote. "Voting for a comprehensive transportation plan will keep our transportation system safe and efficient, improve the state's economy, and improve the quality of life for our 12 million-plus residents."Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch, who had had sharp words for lawmakers' rejection of the bill Monday, was pleased with the passage."Gov. Corbett has spent months pushing for an affirmative vote on a comprehensive transportation plan. The House has taken action and we look forward to Senate agreement and the Governor's signature on a finished product," he said.