On Thursday, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) called on Congress to fully fund the public transportation investments promised by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
In a letter to House and Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Committee leaders, APTA said Congress should fully fund the $21.6 billion for public transit and $20.2 billion for passenger rail outlined by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. That request includes $4.6 billion for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grants to help communities meet increased mobility demands.
“As you begin resolving the differences between the House and Senate THUD Appropriations bills, we urge you to fully fund public transit and passenger rail at the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 authorized amounts… These amounts would honor the promise of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” Paul P. Skoutelas, APTA president and CEO, wrote. “At a minimum, we urge the THUD Appropriations Act, together with advance appropriations of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to provide $21.1 billion for public transit and $16.7 billion for passenger rail, as passed by the Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 82-15. These investments are critical to our efforts to begin to bring public transit and passenger rail systems to a state of good repair.”
Authorizing the full funding amount would make public transit and passenger rail faster, more modern and more reliable, the association said, while allowing agencies to tackle climate change and advance equity.
APTA also asked Congress to fully authorize $6 billion for FTA Capital Investment Grants and to provide additional public investments, like an additional $268 million for bus grants, ferry grants and designated investments for public transit projects. The association would also like to see Congress fully fund passenger rail, including Amtrak, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail. Consolidated Rail Infrastructure ad Safety Improvement, and Railroad Crossing Elimination Grants.
“Protecting and supporting public transportation funding keeps America on track for success, so that everyone can thrive,” Skoutelas wrote.