Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act
Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act
Plain Language Summary
# Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act Summary **What the bill would do:** The Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act would create a new federal grant program to help pay for public transportation operating costs in areas that currently lack adequate transit options. If passed, the Department of Transportation would distribute grants to cities, states, and Native American tribes to fund things like expanding bus or transit routes, improving technology systems, and training transit workers. The program specifically targets underserved communities and economically struggling areas. **Who it affects:** This bill primarily impacts communities with limited public transportation options, transit-dependent populations (people who rely on buses or public transit rather than personal vehicles), and local governments that operate transit systems.
Eligible recipients include urbanized areas, rural regions, and Indian tribes that already receive federal transit funding. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
Stronger Communities through Better Transit ActThis bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a grant program to support operating projects for public transportation and related service improvements, particularly in underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty.Specifically, the bill requires DOT to allocate funding under the program for urbanized areas, states, and Indian tribes that are recipients of funds under either the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) Urbanized Area Formula Funding program or Formula Grants for Rural Areas program. Eligible recipients may use funding for operating costs associated with projects that improve public transportation service for transit-dependent populations and support increased transit ridership (e.g., service expansion, information technology enhancements, and workforce development). DOT must apportion the funding so that recipients receive funds that are proportional to their share of operating costs.The bill also provides for an increased federal cost share for operating assistance for projects or programs carried out in areas of persistent poverty or underserved communities.DOT must set up a multimodal access measurement interface for public agencies to aid transit agencies in determining and reporting on access to jobs and essential services.A grant recipient must (1) report specific information to the FTA for inclusion in the National Transit Database, and (2) survey transit riders and non-riding residents regarding transit service improvements.Further, the bill expands the purposes of the public transportation programs to include supporting public transportation's role in combating climate change through growing/retaining transit ridership.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.