The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recently released a statement supporting President Joe Biden’s proposed fiscal year 2024 budget request.
When combined with advance appropriations included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the proposal includes $4.5 billion for Capital Investment Grants, an additional $1.4 billion for programs such as Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grants and Railroad Crossing Elimination Grants, $21.3 billion for public transit, $18 billion for passenger and freight rail, and a $356 million increase in public transit formula funds.
“We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments in public transportation and call on Congress to harness the potential of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by fully funding public transportation in the FY 2024 THUD Appropriations bill,” APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said. “Strong public transportation grows the economy by connecting people to jobs, education, healthcare, businesses, and opportunities. Investing fully in public transportation will benefit all Americans.”
The organization urges Congress to streamline project delivery by enacting commonsense regulatory reforms; simplify Commercial Driver’s License requirements; provide at least $21.6 billion for public transit and $20.2 billion for passenger rail in the FY 2024 THUD Appropriations bill; and create a new Mobility Innovation and Technology Initiative to integrate new mobility solutions into public transit networks.