The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) applauded President Donald Trump Friday for signing the Fiscal Year 2018 omnibus budget, which provides $13.5 billion for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs as well as spending for other infrastructure programs.
FTA programs include $2.6 billion for Capital Investment Grants.
“The bill reflects the value of public transportation, for the contribution it makes to mobility, and for the role such investment plays in the vibrancy and economic prosperity of communities nationwide,” APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas said. “This bill preserves the strong federal partnership with states and communities that is required to improve the nation’s transportation infrastructure. It will help create jobs, connect communities, and grow our economy.”
Other funding provided in the budget includes $1.9 billion for Amtrak, $1.5 billion for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program, $250 million for Positive Train Control implementation under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant program, $3 billion for the State of Good Repair program, and $1.1 billion for buses and bus facilities.
The funding will help address the $90 billion in funding the U.S. Department of Transportation says is necessary to bring the nation’s infrastructure into good repair, Skoutelas said.