Transportation (Public Transit) in United States

in committee · United States · House Jul 17, 2025

HR 4447: Transit Bus Affordability Act

This bill requires a nonpartisan review of rising costs for transit buses in the U.S. The Comptroller General will analyze factors driving high manufacturing and procurement costs, compare U.S. prices to other countries, and examine how supplier challenges affect federal transit programs like the Low/No Emission Grant Program. The review will assess strategies such as joint state procurement that might reduce costs and speed up delivery. The findings will be reported to Congress within 18 months, but the bill itself does not change funding or directly alter bus procurement processes.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail Transportation Funding

in committee · United States · House Mar 31, 2025

HR 2526: Bus Parity and Clarity Act

HR 2526, the Bus Parity and Clarity Act, clarifies that over-the-road buses operating in scheduled or charter service must pay the same tolls and access terms as public transit buses at toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and HOV lanes. It updates federal definitions to explicitly include "charter service" under existing equal access rules and requires toll facilities to offer these buses identical rates. The bill mandates the Federal Highway Administration to publish a public database of toll rates and terms within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects commercial bus operators using toll infrastructure, ensuring they receive equitable treatment compared to public transit vehicles.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

in committee · United States · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 2167: Transportation Equity Act

HR 2167, the Transportation Equity Act, creates a new Transportation Equity Committee within the Department of Transportation. The committee, composed of 9-15 diverse members representing communities, tribes, academia, and advocacy groups, will provide independent advice to the Secretary on measuring transportation equity - such as access to jobs, economic opportunity, and community connectivity. It will develop recommendations for national metrics but cannot make final policy decisions, which remain with the Secretary. The committee must meet publicly at least twice yearly and ensure broad geographic and community representation in its work.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 3, 2025

S 1284: Driving Forward Act

The Driving Forward Act permanently exempts certain school bus drivers from needing to pass a pre-trip vehicle inspection test when obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL). This directly affects school bus drivers in states that choose to participate in the exemption, as they will no longer need to complete this specific test. The bill also requires participating states to submit annual reports for six years after enactment, tracking how many drivers obtain CDLs under this exemption. The exemption extends a temporary rule previously published in the Federal Register (December 2, 2024), making it permanent without altering other CDL requirements.

Topics ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit

in committee · United States · House Jan 16, 2026

HR 7099: PATH to Education Act

The PATH to Education Act creates federal grants to help public transportation providers partner with educational institutions like community colleges, Head Start programs, and career schools to improve transit access for students. Grant funds can be used for adding bus stops or routes near campuses, increasing service frequency, or adjusting schedules to help students and Head Start participants commute. The bill allocates $1 million in 2027, rising to $5 million by 2031, with priority given to projects involving schools where over 25% of students receive Pell Grants. This policy directly affects transit agencies and eligible schools by funding concrete transit improvements to support education access.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Transportation Student Financial Aid Pedestrian Safety Public Transit Rail

in committee · United States · House May 30, 2025

HR 3648: Transit Captions Innovations Act

HR 3648, the Transit Captions Innovations Act, requires transit agencies to implement real-time transcription and translation technology to improve accessibility for deaf, hard of hearing, and limited English proficient riders. It amends federal transit law to add this technology as a qualifying project under existing accessibility funding. The bill authorizes specific annual funding levels - starting at $4 million in 2027 and increasing to $4.4 million by 2031 - to support these projects. This directly affects public transit riders with communication access needs by mandating new technology deployment.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Tags People with Disabilities

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 4, 2025

S 828: School Bus Safety Act of 2025

The School Bus Safety Act of 2025 requires all school buses with a gross vehicle weight over 10,000 pounds to be equipped with 3-point seat belts at every seating position, fire suppression systems for engine fires, and reinforced firewalls to prevent flames from reaching passengers. It also mandates automatic emergency braking systems, event data recorders, electronic stability control, and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel driver training for school bus operators. The bill establishes a grant program to help schools purchase or retrofit buses with these safety features and requires studies on pedestrian detection systems and seat belt alert systems. These requirements will apply to new school buses manufactured or imported after the Transportation Secretary finalizes the rules.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Pedestrian Safety Public Transit Traffic Safety

in committee · United States · House Jun 5, 2025

HR 3728: Language Access in Transit Act

HR 3728, the Language Access in Transit Act, requires transit agencies receiving federal funding to provide meaningful language access services to people with limited English proficiency (LEP). It directly affects public transportation providers (like bus and subway systems) that receive financial assistance under federal transit programs. The bill amends federal law to mandate that the Secretary of Transportation take "affirmative action" ensuring these agencies offer language assistance, such as interpreters or translated materials, for LEP individuals accessing transit services. This change updates existing provisions in Title 49 of the U.S. Code to explicitly include language access as a requirement for funded transit services.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Public Transit Rail Vehicle Registration

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 30, 2025

S 2945: Safe Transit Accountability Act

S 2945, the Safe Transit Accountability Act, amends federal transit safety law to clarify decision-making authority for safety recommendations. It requires transit agencies to designate a single "accountable executive" who has ultimate responsibility for safety plans and asset management. This accountable executive must decide whether to implement safety committee recommendations and serves as the final decision-maker in any committee disputes. The bill directly affects large public transit agencies operating under federal safety planning requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · United States · House Feb 2, 2026

HR 6451: VA Transit Act

The VA Transit Act establishes a 5-year pilot program to fund public transportation improvements that help veterans access VA facilities and veteran-serving organizations. It directs the Transportation Secretary to award grants to eligible recipients (like states, local governments, and tribes) for projects expanding transit routes to these locations, with a focus on equitable distribution across rural, urban, and Tribal communities. Recipients must publicize services to veterans and report on outcomes like ridership changes, accessibility upgrades, and usage of veteran-focused facilities. The program aims to directly improve transit access for veterans through concrete funding mechanisms, not broad policy changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Public Transit Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

All transportation bills