APTA Hosts 2023 Congressional Fly-In, Emphasizes Public Transit Funding

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) members recently met with key Members of Congress to emphasize the importance of fully funding their commitment to public transportation authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, according to the association's news release.

Both the Senate and House of Representatives have advanced Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 THUD Appropriations bills.

“These forward-looking investments are critical to modernize public transit systems and meet the growing mobility demands of cities and communities, and we appreciate Members of Congress and their staffs taking the time to meet with our public- and private-sector members,” said APTA President/CEO Paul P. Skoutelas.

APTA Calling on Congress

APTA calls on Congress to provide at least $21.6 billion for public transit and $20.2 billion for passenger rail in the THUD Appropriations bill when combined with the advance appropriations of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Senate THUD bill provides $21.1 billion for public transit, which is $2.2 billion more than the House bill. In addition, the Senate bill provides $16.7 billion for passenger and freight rail, which is $2.0 billion more than the House bill.

APTA also urges Congress to provide $4.6 billion for Capital Investment Grants (CIG) to help communities meet mobility demands.

Currently, 66 projects across the nation are seeking $42 billion of CIG funds. The Senate THUD bill provides $4 billion for CIG projects in FY 2024; the House bill provides less than $2 billion, the lowest level in two decades.

APTA transit agency CEOs, transit board members, and business members met directly with 15 Senators and Representatives, including Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Sen. Raphael G. Warnock (D-GA), Rep. Eric A. “Rick” Crawford (R-AR), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Rep. John R. Curtis (R-UT), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rep. Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (R-NJ), Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Rep. Marcus J. Molinaro (R-NY), Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Rep. John H. Rutherford (R-FL), and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL).