“Eligible operating expenses” means those expenses required to provide public transportation, including drivers wages and benefits, mechanics wages and benefits, contract maintenance services, materials and supplies directly related to transit and maintenance of vehicles, fuels and lubricants, rentals or leases of vehicles, taxes other than income taxes, payment made for debt service (including principal and interest) on publicly owned equipment and facilities, and any other expenditure which is an operating expense according to standard accounting practices for the providing of public transportation and which is not defined as an “eligible administrative expense” by Section 3-1.09 of this Article.
     “Eligible operating expenses” shall not include allowances: (a) for depreciation whether funded or unfunded; (b) for amortization of any intangible costs; (c) for debt service on capital acquired with the assistance of capital grant funds provided by the State of Illinois; (d) for profits or return on investments; (e) for excessive payment to associated entities; (f) for cost reimbursed under Sections 6 and 8 of the “Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964”, as amended; (g) for entertainment expenses; (h) for charter expenses; (i) for fines and penalties; (j) for charitable donations; (k) for interest expense on long term borrowing and debt retirement other than on publicly owned equipment or facilities; (l) for income taxes; (m) for expenses defined as “eligible administrative expenses” in Section 3-1.09 of this Article; or (n) for such other expenses as the Department may determine consistent with federal Department of Transportation regulations and requirements.