APTA Issues Statement on USDOT Surface Transportation Authorization Proposals

APTA has issued the following statement on USDOT’s proposals for the next Surface Transportation Authorization bill:

“APTA appreciates Secretary of Transportation Duffy’s leadership in highlighting the importance of developing a long-term Surface Transportation Authorization bill. We look forward to working with USDOT on the next authorization bill, including on the Department’s proposals to advance autonomous vehicle innovation and private-sector participation in infrastructure.

“However, we are extremely troubled by USDOT’s proposal to eliminate all guaranteed funding for public transit and passenger rail, jeopardizing more than 85 percent of federal public transit and passenger rail investment across the nation. USDOT proposes to eliminate the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund, which is a cornerstone of the federal partnership that enables communities to plan, finance, and deliver long-term public transit investments.

“By eliminating both the Mass Transit Account and advance appropriations, USDOT would strip all guaranteed funding from transit formula grants, which would have an outsized impact on rural and smaller communities that depend most on federal support to provide critical public transit services. It also removes guaranteed funding for important safety initiatives, such as eliminating highway-rail grade crossings.

“Public transportation is a smart investment: every dollar invested in public transit returns five dollars to our economy, and 77 percent flows to the private sector. It creates family-wage jobs and can save families $13,000 a year, leaving more money for rent, groceries, and other everyday needs.

“This summer’s World Cup showed what federal investment in public transit makes possible, as agencies moved millions of fans to matches safely and reliably while continuing to serve millions of regular riders each day.

“We urge Congress to reject these proposals and build upon current public transit and passenger rail investment in the next Surface Transportation Authorization Act. Let’s work together to build America’s economy and transportation system for the next several decades.”