Join APTA and Urge Congress to Restore Public Transportation Funding
Urgent Action Needed
Join APTA’s Advocacy Campaign Now
On September 2, 2026, President Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (P.L. 119-103) into law. The Act funds the Federal Government and provides a short-term Surface Transportation Authorization extension through December 11, 2026.
The Continuing Resolution (CR) does not include “advance appropriations”, a form of guaranteed funding provided under current law, resulting in a 20 percent (-$4.2 billion) cut to public transit investment and an 81 percent (-$12.9 billion) cut to passenger rail investment from Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 levels.
APTA strongly encourages you to urge your Representatives and Senators to restore public transit and passenger rail funding to FY 2026 Enacted levels in December.
Join APTA’s Email Advocacy Campaign
We ask you to join APTA’s email advocacy campaign. APTA is focusing its advocacy efforts on urging Congress to provide at least $21.1 billion for public transit and $15.9 billion for passenger rail.
For every $1 invested in public transportation, $5 is generated in long-term economic returns. Moreover, 77 percent of Federal public transportation investment flows to the private sector.
Cuts in Federal investment in public transportation disrupt and delay projects across the nation and inject uncertainty into future State and local investment decisions. The funding cuts also hurt public transit agencies’ efforts to address the more than $150 billion state-of-good-repair backlog.
To send a pre-written APTA message to your Representatives and Senators, visit the APTA Advocacy Campaign Action Center.
View Transportation Appropriations and Extension Talking Points.
Host your Members of Congress
APTA strongly encourages you to meet with your Members of Congress and show them first-hand how this public transportation investment works for everyone. APTA has prepared a Site Visit Toolkit to help you effectively plan, organize, and execute an event with your elected officials, including providing sample social media posts for maximum impact.
View APTA’s Site Visit Toolkit.
Use APTA’s Advocacy Tools
It has never been more important to make the case to Congress for public transportation investment. That is why we have created a one-stop shop explaining key advocacy tools, such as our APTA Industry Footprint and Bus and Railcar Manufacturing schematics, for APTA members to engage with their Members of Congress both on Capitol Hill and in their Congressional Districts and States.
APTA’s Industry Footprint is a great tool to share with Members of Congress to show how many riders utilize public transportation; recent major grant awards; and the manufacturing, construction, and engineering firms advancing public transportation projects in each Congressional District and State. The My Economic Impact tool uses your public transit agency’s budget data to calculate the economic impact of your transit service.
View the APTA Advocacy Resource Center.