New APTA Publications Reinforce Call for Robust Federal Investment in Next Surface Transportation Law

3/3/2026

The APTA Board of Directors approved the APTA Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations, Feb. 19, which urge Congress and the Administration to build upon current investment for public transit and passenger rail to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth by providing $138 billion for public transit and $130 billion for passenger rail over the next five years.

A new independent economic study assessing the recommendations—the Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment—finds that every $1 billion invested in public transportation generates $5 billion in long-term economic value and supports tens of thousands of jobs across the U.S. These findings provide clear evidence that sustained federal investment in public transit and passenger rail delivers significant returns for workers, communities, taxpayers, and the U.S. economy.

The report also finds that investment in public transportation delivers strong taxpayer returns through job creation, increased tax revenue, improved access to jobs and healthcare, reduced congestion, and lower household transportation costs. The report specifically finds that these critical public transportation investments will create an additional $140 billion in annual impacts on the U.S. economy.

“Public transportation is one of the smartest investments we can make in America’s economic future,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “A $1 billion investment doesn’t just move people. It moves our entire economy forward, creating tens of thousands of jobs and unlocking billions in economic opportunity.”

The Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment finds that each $1 billion invested in public transit delivers:

Economic Impact
  • $5 billion of economic value(GDP) (5-to-1 economic return on investment) including:
  • $1.4 billion in direct spending from construction, manufacturing, and operations
  • $3.6 billion in long-term benefits from improved mobility, reduced congestion, and expanded access to jobs and healthcare.
Job Creation
  • 41,400 jobs created or sustained across construction, manufacturing, operations, and supplier industries
  • $3.1 billion in worker income supported
Taxpayer Returns
  • $251 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue

Other APTA research finds that 77 percent of Federal public transit funds flow to the private sector, supporting American manufacturing and family-wage jobs. APTA’s newly updated and released bus manufacturing and rail car manufacturing schematics illustrate how federal public transit investment supports 3,000 suppliers in more than 1,700 communities in 50 states.

“Federal investment has delivered results, but the job is far from finished,” said Skoutelas. “A strong, long-term federal commitment is essential to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth across the nation.”

Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment was prepared for APTA by the Economic Development Research Group, an EBP Company.