Panelists Discuss Transit’s Report Card

APTA staff and public transit experts were panelists in a recent event hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and GCW Engineering called “Making the Grade: Transit.” The online event explored the investments, policies, and project strategies needed to improve the D grade that transit received in ASCE’s 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.

Across three presentations, speakers discussed transit agencies’ need for capital funding for vehicles, facilities, and state-of-good-repair projects, and sustainable revenue to operate service. Ward McCarragher, APTA vice president, government affairs and advocacy, emphasized that public transportation is essential infrastructure serving communities of every size. He presented data from APTA’s 2026 Fact Book, including findings that every dollar invested in public transportation generates five dollars in long-term economic benefits.

He also said that sustained federal investment is needed to preserve those benefits and continue addressing state-of-good-repair needs. Potential reductions in federal investment in transit and passenger rail threaten progress while predictable, guaranteed funding enables agencies to plan projects and move forward more efficiently.

Caitlin Tobin, Red Line project director at the Maryland Transit Administration and Andrew Kjellman, deputy chief executive officer at the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, discussed the challenging funding landscape for their respective agencies and the different paths they can take for success, including legislative engagement.

According to the presenters, continued investment, flexible funding, disciplined asset management, and faster project delivery will determine whether agencies can preserve service while modernizing systems and expanding access.