Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Includes $50 billion for immediate investments to support critical infrastructure projects, such as improving America’s roads, bridges, transit systems, border crossings, railways and runways,

New emergency relief authority provides FTA with primary responsibility for reimbursing emergency response and recovery costs after an emergency or disaster that affects public transportation systems and for helping to mitigate the impact of future disasters.

The funds are provided through the FTA’s Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks program, which awarded $40.8 million for similar projects in January 2012.

Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) was selected by the House Republican Conference to be the next Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) on Tuesday. He succeeds Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL).

Eligible operators are public entities that operate fixed-route bus service with 100 or fewer buses in maximum peak hour service. This provision does not affect the continued availability of operating assistance for public transportation operators in urbanized areas with populations between 50,000 and 199,999.

Under the previous federal law, the state was able to obtain $3 million two years in a row to replace aging public transit buses. MAP-21, however, focuses on rail and fixed guideway systems, which the state does not have.

How will the passage of MAP-21 impact your agency

APTA’s president/CEO reflects on his first year at the helm, what it was like to meet President Obama and how MAP-21 will impact the industry.

The two-day public meeting brings together transit industry officials, transportation safety experts, transportation labor groups, and academics to provide advice and recommendations on implementing the new law.

The measure will continue to fund government programs for another six months, including all transportation programs, however, it will fund those programs at previous levels and not for the amounts authorized by MAP-21.