Federal Legislative Priorities
SUMMARY
APTA provides current information on legislative issues before the Congress such as authorization of surface transportation law, Federal appropriations, high-speed passenger rail and other issues. Links to bill summaries, legislative text, committee reports and related information.
APTA represents a $102 billion public transportation industry that provides mobility for millions of Americans each year, directly employs more than 450,000 people, and supports millions of private-sector jobs. In fact, 77 percent 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.
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 urges Congress and the Administration to enact a long-term Surface Transportation Authorization Act that:
- builds upon current investment for public transit and passenger rail to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth;
- accelerates project delivery by eliminating statutory and regulatory barriers to building infrastructure; and
- strengthens collaborative, local decision-making.
Specifically, APTA urges Congress and the Administration to provide $138 billion for public transit and $130 billion for passenger rail over five years. These investment levels restore the purchasing power lost to inflation over the past five years and grow total public transit and passenger rail funding (including guaranteed funding) moving forward.
Visit the APTA Smart Guide to Surface Transportation Authorization for information and resources in navigating the Surface Transportation Authorization process.