Statement by APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas

"The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed by President Trump today, is great news for American commuters and communities as it continues historic funding levels with more than $16 billion for public transportation and intercity passenger rail. 

"This legislation includes $13.4 billion for public transportation and $2.6 billion for intercity passenger rail grants and is $1.2 billion more than the FY 2019 FAST Act authorization levels. In addition to these significant funding levels, the bill specifically mandates that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provide these funds in an expeditious manner.

"The Capital Investment Grant program is funded at $2.6 billion and requires the Federal Transit Administration to obligate 85 percent of these funds by December 31, 2020. 

"These funds are critical to improving and expanding public transportation services around the country. DOT estimates that there is a $90 billion backlog to bring our bus and rail systems to a state of good repair and the American Society of Civil Engineers has graded the condition of public transportation infrastructure a D- . In addition, this funding is essential to enable communities to provide new services to meet the growing transportation needs of their residents."

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