Public Transit reacts to President's call for infrastructure funding
During his campaign, the President called for spending $1.5 trillion over a decade for infrastructure projects, but major funding has not been forthcoming.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During his State of the Union Address, the President called for a bipartisan push to rebuild “America’s crumbling infrastructure,” CNBC reports.
During his campaign, the President called for spending $1.5 trillion over a decade for infrastructure projects, but major funding has not been forthcoming. For the full story, click here.
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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released the following statement in response to the SOTU:
"APTA and its 1,500 member organizations look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to invest in the nation's infrastructure, including public transportation. We are pleased that President Donald J.Trump highlighted in his State of the Union address that rebuilding America's crumbling infrastructure is one of the Administration's major priorities.
"Increased investment in public transportation infrastructure will help build stronger communities. Every dollar invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns.
"APTA urges the President and Congress to swiftly act on bipartisan infrastructure investment legislation because it has consistent and unwavering support throughout America. A recent joint poll from APTA and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association found that 90 percent of Americans support increased investment in our national infrastructure.
"Americans know that investing in projects that improve public transportation and our highways, waterways, and bridges will improve their quality of life and help grow their communities for decades to come. Americans are united in their support for infrastructure investment because they recognize the great need — a backlog of more than $90 billion to bring the nation's public transportation systems up to a state of good repair.
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"The message is loud and clear: Invest in rebuilding America now."
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Executive Director Jim Tymon echoed APTA’s statement.
“The President’s state of the Union Address is once again, making transportation infrastructure investment a top national priority,” he said. “Transportation has long been a bipartisan concern and this year, with the Administration’s support a transportation bill can be that rare opportunity to bring members of Congress together from both sides of the aisle. AASHTO and its member state departments of transportation stand ready to work with the Administration and Congress on a national plan to shore up the Highway Trust Fund and make the investments needed to modernize our aging transportation infrastructure.”
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.