FTA: $77.7B needed to bring U.S. rail, bus systems to state of good repair

On Wednesday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released a study that estimates the cost of bringing the nation's rail and bus transit systems into a state of good repair at $77.7 billion. In addition, a yearly average of $14.4 billion would be required to maintain the systems.

FTA's National State of Good Repair Assessment Study, requested by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as a follow-up to the 2009 Rail Modernization Study report to Congress, provides a comprehensive analysis of the costs required to bring the nation's rail and bus transit systems into good operating order.

The 2010 study is based on data provided by 36 additional rail and bus operators in both rural and urban areas.

"Investment in the nation's transit infrastructure is important to a healthy economy and most importantly, the safety and well-being of our riders," stated Administrator Peter Rogoff. "For millions of Americans, having a safe and reliable transit system is the difference between seeing their children before bed or not, making it to work on time or arriving late, or getting to a doctor's appointment or forgoing it."

While most of the $77.7 billion backlog can be attributed to rail, more than 40 percent of the nation's buses are also in poor to marginal condition. "State of Good Repair" for the country's transportation network is one of the five system-wide goals included in U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's proposed Strategic Plan for the Department of Transportation, which is available, here.

In April, Administrator Rogoff announced the availability of $775 million through a competitive State of Good Repair funding program that will invest in the nation's bus and bus facilities. A review of transit agency project applications is now underway at FTA and will be announced later this year.

The FTA has received approximately 400 project applications and more than $4.2 billion in requests for the $775 million.

To view the "State of Good Repair" report, click here.