In communities large and small, public transit strengthens our economies by fueling job growth and connecting employees to employers, customers to commerce, and communities to investment opportunities. Transit keeps America’s communities—rural, suburban, and urban—competitive and growing.

A $93 billion industry, public transit directly employs more than 430,000 people and supports millions more jobs in the private sector. In fact, 77% of federal public transportation investment flows to the private sector. Federal transit investment supports American jobs in dynamic sectors ranging from manufacturing and engineering to operations and information technology.

Simply put, our country needs to maintain and grow current investment levels for public transit and passenger rail. It’s critical to America’s economy—and the industries and jobs that fuel it—and will make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans each day. Every $1 invested in public transit generates $5 in long-term economic returns.

APTA’s dedicated Government Affairs and Advocacy Department is focused on sustained Federal investment in public transportation. Actions we’re taking include:

  • Providing new and refreshed advocacy tools that speak to public transportation’s economic value and return on investment and position public transportation as a community resource and revitalizer.
  • Identifying and developing solutions to streamline DOT regulatory and administrative requirements.
  • Positioning public transportation to be competitive for funding beyond traditional sources, including for FHWA, DOT, EPA, and DOE grants.
  • Offering effective models for regional coordination and how to build stronger partnerships with city and state DOTs to advance public transportation.
  • Developing new partnerships to amplify transit advocacy, including with non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organizations and business and industry councils.
  • Focusing on the nexus between public transportation and affordable housing/housing access.

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