APTA Urges Congress to Provide Strong FY27 Funding for Public Transit & Passenger Rail
5/6/2026
APTA wrote to House and Senate leaders, May 6, urging them to provide strong FY27 funding for public transit and passenger rail, calling for $26.3 billion for public transportation and $24.8 billion for passenger and freight rail. The association said the funding levels align with its 2026 Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations and would preserve the guaranteed funding structure established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) while accounting for inflation since 2021.
In the letter, APTA emphasized the economic impact of transit investment, noting that “every $1 invested in public transportation generates $5 in long-term economic returns” and that “77 percent of federal public transportation investments flow to the private sector.” Every $1 billion invested in transit creates or sustains more than 41,000 jobs.
APTA warned that failing to continue advance appropriations would significantly reduce federal transit and rail investment. According to the letter, public transit investment could be cut by 23 percent without advance appropriations, while passenger and freight rail funding could decline by 82 percent compared with FY26 levels. Bus and Bus Facilities grants would also face a 47 percent reduction, and the All Stations Accessibility Program would receive no funding.
The association also called for $5.7 billion for FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program to support new and expanded BRT, commuter rail, subway, and light rail projects. APTA said 54 projects nationwide are currently seeking nearly $32 billion in future CIG funding.
In addition, APTA urged Congress to provide additional transit support tied to the 2028 Summer Olympics, citing $2 billion in unmet transit capital and operating needs identified by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its partners.
The letter concluded that “investing in public transportation is a smart, practical investment in American leadership, jobs, and innovation” and that APTA pledges to work with Congress on both the FY27 appropriations process and the next surface transportation authorization bill.