As Congress continues to eye a means of repairing the nation’s stunted infrastructure sector, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released new research this week identifying at least $232 billion in critical public transportation investments.
This would not all be necessary immediately. APTA analysts found that $232 billion spent over 10 years would stimulate a 4-to-1 return rate, generating approximately $928 billion through economic activity over the next 20 years. APTA members also identified more than $5 billion in electrification projects that could modernize systems nationwide.
“Bipartisan efforts to enact an infrastructure investment bill will provide a critically important opportunity to address the nation’s growing infrastructure needs,” APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas said. “APTA is ready to work with Congress and the Administration to enact legislation that includes robust public transportation investment.”
For their research, APTA looked at projects in the Capital Investment Grants pipeline, which are aimed at expanding public transit investment; Priority Projects, which cover everything from construction of associated facilities, to electric bus fleet expansions and security improvements; and state of good repair projects, which include capital, safety and operating repairs and upgrades, and replacements of buses and trains.
Beyond critical investments, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports a $90 billion backlog on state of good repair needs.