Introduction

With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the public transportation industry stands ready to create and support hundreds of thousands of American jobs, reduce our nation’s carbon footprint, and promote energy independence.

Public transportation received $8.4 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), for investments in public transit projects. Additionally, high-speed rail received $8 billion and there is a $1.5 billion intermodal, discretionary program that that can be used for public transportation.

APTA’s Economic Recovery Info Center is designed to help you understand the ARRA law, its requirements, and progress. It will serve as a place that will connect you with the information you need.

We encourage you to read the different topics contained in this Economic Recovery Info Center. Content for the topic areas and additional sections (such as Congressional Testimony) will be updated on a regular basis as needed.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

In this section you can read the new law as it pertains to public transportation.

• Bill Text – Division A, Transportation provisions (Title XII)
• Joint Explanatory Statement – Transportation Provisions (Title XII)
• Legislative Alert – February 18, 2009 – President Obama signs American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into Law!  $8.4 billion provided for Public Transportation and $9.2 billion for High-Speed and Intercity Rail!
• Senate Bill will Allow 10 percent of the ARRA Funds for Operations

Implementing Economic Recovery Funds

This section has answers for those who are members of the public transportation industry in the United States.

• Review FTA’s June 18, 2009 ARRA presentation given at the APTA Rail Conference
• ARRA Section 1512 Jobs Reporting 
• These three web sites contain information on ARRA implementation.
• ARRA Information on the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) website
• ARRA Information on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s website
• Recovery.gov

Federal Guidance

• Operating Assistance Q&As
• High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program (June 23, 2009)
• Implementing Guidance for Reporting Use of ARRA Funds (June 6, 2009)
• Recipient Reporting Data Model - Final (June 22, 2009)
• Requirements for Implement Sections 1512, 1605, 1606 (April 23, 2009)
• Interim Notice of Funding Availability for Supplemental Discretionary Grants (May 18, 2009)
• Two webinars, sponsored by APTA and FTA, have been held on ARRA.  PowerPoint presentations and podcasts are available.
• March 27, 2009 – Spending Your Economic Stimulus Funds
• February 13, 2009 – How to Apply for Stimulus Funds

Video - Public Transit and Economic Stimulus

• The Public Transit and the Ripple Effect of Economic Stimulus

Where the Jobs Are: Public Transit Vehicle Schematics

• Bus Schematic
• Rail Schematic

Media Coverage

For anyone seeking additional information on the status and implementation of this recovery legislation, you can read APTA’s latest press releases, as well as read and view highlighted media stories.

Note to Media:  All media calls should go to Virginia Miller at (202) 496-4816 or you can email her at vmiller@apta.com.

APTA Press Releases

This section has the latest press releases on this recovery legislation. Any APTA press releases prior to February 14 are located in the Media Center section of the site.

• April 29, 2009 – Two Out of Three Jobs Created by Public Transit Investment Replace Jobs Hardest Hit by Economic Downturn -- New Study Shows $1 Billion Investment in Public Transportation Yields 30,000 Jobs

• April 16, 2009 – APTA Applauds President Obama For His Vision On High-Speed Rail

• Press Release – February 14, 2009 – The Public Transportation Industry Stands Ready to Create Hundreds of Thousands of American Jobs – New Day for Transportation with Significant Investment in Rail

News Articles/Editorials/TV Features

• August 3, 2009 -- DHS Announces $78 Million in ARRA Funds for Transit Security (Passenger Transport)
• July 20, 2009 -- DOT Distributes Almost Half of ARRA Funds (Passenger Transport)
• July 6, 2009 -- FTA Awards $2.2 Billion in Recovery Act Grants (Passenger Transport)
• July 6, 2009 -- ARRA Funds Benefits Many Modes of Transit (Passenger Transport)
• June 22, 2009 -- FRA Provides Filing Requirements for ARRA Funds for High Speed Rail (Passenger Transport)
• May 11, 2009 -- Transit Agencies Make Plans to Implement ARRA Funds (Passenger Transport)
• April 16, 2009 -- Obama Pushes Vision for High-Speed Rail (Washington Post)
• April 13, 2009, -- Stimulus Package in Action (ABC World News With Charlie Gibson)
• April 13, 2009 -- Putting Recovery Funds To Work (Passenger Transport)
• April 13, 2009 --  ARRA Helps Light Rail Provide Safe, Reliable Service (Passenger Transport)
• March 30, 2009 --Transit Agencies Mobilizing to Implement ARRA-Funded Projects (Passenger Transport)