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Dear Chairman Womack and Ranking Member Clyburn:

On behalf of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), which represents the $79 billion public transportation industry that provides mobility for millions of Americans each year, directly employs 430,000 people, and supports millions of private-sector jobs, I write to urge you to fully fund public transportation and passenger rail at the authorized levels of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

Specifically, we urge you to provide $22.3 billion for public transit and $21.0 billion for passenger and freight rail in FY 2026, when combined with the IIJA’s advance appropriations. At minimum, we request that you match President Trump’s FY 2026 Budget request, which provides $21.2 billion for public transit and $16.5 billion for passenger rail.

Public transportation drives the American economy, creating millions of jobs and strengthening local communities. Every $1 invested in public transportation generates $5 in long-term economic returns. It benefits more than just the people who ride it. In cities and towns across America, miles from the nearest bus or rail stop, American workers build buses, trains, and technology that power our nation’s mobility. In fact, 77 percent of Federal public transportation investments flow to the private sector, and every $1 billion invested creates or sustains 50,000 jobs—family-wage jobs in manufacturing, technology, and services.

Moreover, these critical investments will help public transit agencies address the more than $140 billion state-of-good repair backlog, meet growing mobility demands in our communities, and drive innovation and new technologies.

APTA urges you to provide $4.6 billion for the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. This funding will help communities begin to address the growing demand for more mobility choices. These critical infrastructure investments help communities, large and small, design and construct new Bus Rapid Transit, commuter rail,
subway, and light rail systems and extensions. Today, 54 projects across the nation are seeking $36 billion of CIG funds in FY 2026 and subsequent years.¹

APTA also encourages you to fully fund passenger rail, including Amtrak, Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination, Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail, and Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grants.

Moreover, APTA strongly supports several funding limitations. We greatly appreciate that the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025 (P.L. 119-4) and prior THUD Appropriations Acts have included provisions to prohibit implementation of the Rostenkowski Test and to prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation from impeding or hindering a project from advancing or approving a project seeking a CIG Federal share of more than 40 percent. We strongly encourage you to continue these provisions in the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations bill.

Finally, in addition to fully funding the IIJA, APTA requests an additional appropriation for public transit agencies to help communities prepare for and offset the transportation costs of the United States hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup Games and 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Public transit agencies play a critical role in Mega Events, providing increased capacity and optimized routes and frequency to move millions of fans efficiently. This additional appropriation will help more than a dozen communities showcase America, all while driving new revenue and creating jobs.

Thank you for your strong support for public transportation and consideration of our public transportation priorities. Investing in public transportation is a smart, practical investment in American leadership, jobs, and innovation.

Sincerely,

Paul P. Skoutelas
President and CEO

¹APTA CIG Dashboard (June 6, 2025).

cc: The Honorable Tom Cole, Chairman, Committee on Appropriations,
U.S. House of Representatives

The Honorable Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member, Committee on Appropriations,
U.S. House of Representatives

Members, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives