U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA) and Frederica Wilson (D-FL) introduced legislation they hope will expand workforce training and strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers to support American transportation systems.
The Transit Workforce Development Act, amends existing federal transit law to allow more bus and bus facility grants to be used for workforce development, including training programs, registered apprenticeships, and labor-management partnerships.
“For too long, our federal transit programs have treated workforce development as an afterthought when in reality, transit workers are the backbone of the system,” Garamendi said. “This legislation will help transit agencies build up a highly, skilled workforce to operate and maintain the next generation of transit. I’m grateful for Rep. Wilson’s leadership on this issue.”
The lawmakers said American public transportation agencies currently face significant workforce shortages, compounded by technological changes like the transition to zero-emission buses. These changes require new technical skills, including expertise in high-voltage systems, electronic diagnostics, and advanced safety procedures. However, current training programs are limited and underfunded.
The legislation would increase the workforce development set-aside from 5 percent to 10 percent; Allow up to 10 percent of bus and bus facility grant funds to be used for workforce training; expand training eligibility across all federal bus programs and support registered apprenticeships and labor-management training partnerships.
“Today’s transit buses are way different under the hood compared to twenty or even ten years ago. Battery electric buses require a different set of skills to not only repair and maintain, but to operate. Our Union has been a leader in developing transit workforce development programs to train our members with the skills and knowledge to have successful careers in public transit,” John Costa, president of Amalgamated Transit Union International, said.
Cosponsors of the bill also include Reps. Julia Brownley (D-CA), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Patrick Ryan (D-NY), Nellie Pou (D-NJ), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), and Dina Titus (D-NV).
The legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.