U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Mike Rounds, Tammy Baldwin Introduce Investments in Rural Transit Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Investments in Rural Transit Act, a bipartisan bill to help rural transit providers improve their services. Rural transit operators provide essential lifeline services to millions of Americans, getting them to work, school, grocery stores, medical appointments, and more.

The Investments in Rural Transit Act would address key issues facing rural transit providers, including rising operating costs, complicated red tape, and difficulty procuring new vehicles. It would also support Tribal transit providers, who serve some of the most geographically isolated communities in the country.

"High-quality, efficient public transit systems are important for Minnesotans who rely on them every day to get to the office, school, the doctor, and to make their lives work," said Senator Smith. "This bipartisan legislation would support reliable public transit in rural communities where it's a lifeline."

"For rural South Dakotans who do not own a vehicle, transit services are a lifeline to reach their jobs, medical appointments, grocery stores and other necessities," said Rounds. "This legislation aims to support the operators who provide these essential services, so that they may continue to get our rural residents where they need to go."

"Whether you are in a big city or a rural part of our state, every Wisconsinite should have access to good public transit. Unfortunately, that is just not the case in too many places and limited transit options are a significant barrier for folks trying to get to work, the store, or the doctor," said Senator Baldwin. "Our bipartisan legislation will invest in rural communities so workers and families are better connected to what they need."

"This bill addresses the key issues facing many rural transit systems today - local match challenges, regulatory reform, and procurement solutions," said Scott Bogren, Executive Director of the Community Transportation Association of America. "The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and its more than 1,300 members around the country fully support the Investments in Rural Transit Act."

Specifically, the Investments in Rural Transit Act would:

• Increase federal share for operating costs. Current law allows federal funding to cover 50 percent of a rural transit provider's operating costs, such as fuel and labor. This bill would increase the federal share to 80 percent, providing badly-needed relief to rural transit operators so they can improve their services.
• Cut red tape. Rural transit providers are often small and efficient, but federal reporting requirements and other rules add significant administrative burdens to their operations without meaningful benefit. The bill directs the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to work with rural transit agencies, Tribal transit agencies, state departments of transportation, and others to recommend regulatory relief for these transit agencies.
• Make procurement easier. Procuring new vehicles and equipment can be costly and complicated for rural transit agencies, and over the last several years, agencies have waited longer and paid more to purchase vehicles. The bill would allow transit agencies to partner in joint and cooperative procurements, saving money and easing the process for agencies and manufacturers alike. It also directs the Secretaries of Transportation and Energy to review opportunities for streamlining procurement of low- and no-emission vehicle infrastructure in rural areas.
• Support Tribal transit agencies. The bill would also designate an Associate Administrator for Program Management and Tribal Transit to ensure Tribal transit is appropriately prioritized and elevated at FTA. It also creates a 5 percent set-aside in the Low- and No-Emission Bus Grant program to support Tribal transit agencies' investments in new equipment and infrastructure.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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