Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The committee’s vice chairman will be Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. (R-TN). As vice chairman, Duncan will play a critical role in moving forward the committee’s agenda.

Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) was officially confirmed by the House of Representatives to chair the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He also announced the full Committee Republican membership.

Consensus on a transportation authorization bill has been stalled since SAFTEA-LU expired in September 2009, with both the House and Senate releasing and approving two vastly different bills.

In related news, Mica also announced that he will introduce a three-month extension of highway and transit programs. The extension will not include changes to current transportation policy.

Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who felt they did not have a hand in writing the bill, applauded the news and are hopeful to be more involved in the process.

Authorizes approximately $260 billion over five years to fund federal highway, transit and safety programs, consistent with current funding levels.

On Tuesday, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) and Members of the Committee unveiled the long-awaited American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act, which looks to authorize approximately $260 billion over five years to fund federal highway, transit and safety programs at current funding levels.

Monday's hearing of the Full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), examined federal safety programs and how best to improve bus safety.

Proposal does not address, however, where increased revenues will come from to finance the program. This portion of the legislation must be developed by the House Committee on Ways & Means, which is expected to act at a later date.