The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Thursday that more than $4.7 billion in transit funding was available to transit agencies, states, and Tribal governments.
The funding, which is allocated according to formula, would support public transportation and public transportation jobs across the country, the FTA said.
“People rely on buses, trains, and ferries to get where they need to be every day,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes the largest investment in public transit in history, which means that more Americans will have access to great transportation, our communities will have less traffic congestion, and the air will be cleaner for our children.”
Part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed last year, the funding is part of the Further Extending Government Funding Act, which provides partial-year spending authority through Feb. 18, 2022, as well as funding included as advance appropriations from the BIL for the State of Good Repair and the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities formula programs.
“From counties with just one van providing rides, to systems operating hundreds of trains, buses, and ferries in the largest cities in America, our communities depend on this funding, which is increasing significantly thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said. “This first down payment will help agencies start new projects, fix old infrastructure, and bring more fast, safe, convenient service.”
The FTA said that full-year formula funding would be available when Congress passes an FY 2022 appropriations bill. Once the appropriations bill passes, transit funding will be available to support transit in 500 urban communities and rural areas. The funding will include a 35 percent increase over previous years’ funding allowing transit agencies to buy new buses and railcars, which will improve reliability and service.