Washington, D.C. (May 19, 2025) – The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) today opened its 2025 Legislative Conference, bringing together more than 600 public transportation professionals to engage with policymakers and advocate for robust federal investment in public transportation infrastructure.
The three-day conference includes remarks from U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy; a Fireside Chat with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator Tariq Bokhari.
Additional speakers include Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works; Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development; former NBC Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd; and CNN contributor Scott Jennings.
“APTA’s Legislative Conference is an opportunity for our members to hear directly from policy experts and to meet with Members of Congress to build meaningful and productive relationships to support investment in our critical public transportation infrastructure,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas.
A key focus of the conference is the economic return on public transportation investment. APTA data shows that every $1 invested in public transportation yields $5 dollars in economic returns, and 77 percent of federal transit funding flows to businesses across the nation.
The conference also includes a special session on preparing public transit systems for Mega Sporting Events. Public transit leaders from cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, and 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics will discuss federal policy and investment needs for operational costs, fleet expansion, workforce training, security, and accessibility.
The conference concludes with Advocacy Afternoon, when attendees will meet with Members of Congress and urge them to fully fund public transportation in the Transportation Appropriates Act and build upon current public transit and passenger rail investment levels in the next Surface Transportation Authorization Act.
“Federal investment in public transportation creates jobs, drives innovation, and strengthens America’s economy,” Skoutelas said. “Federal support builds the public transportation infrastructure that makes America competitive.”
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