WASHINGTON (May 16, 2025) – A new federal transit bill sponsored by Rep. Hank Johnson (D – Ga.) and 100 representatives from both parties offers a critical opportunity for the United States to protect and bolster its public transportation system, supporting the 30% of people across the country who don’t drive and providing more options for the over 50% of people who do not live in walking distance to public transit. The bill would establish a funding stream to help transit systems fully recover from the pandemic and significantly improve service. Continuing to financially support mass transit systems would reduce air pollution and climate warming emissions and lower transportation costs for people across the country.
This investment is a crucial component to improving transportation options and reducing the need to drive, which a Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis has shown could save the country over $6 trillion over the next 25 years.
Below is a statement by Steven Higashide, director of the Clean Transportation Program at UCS.
“People across the country deserve to be able to choose how they get around, whether they live in rural communities or major cities. But years of underinvestment, inflation, workforce shortages and the expiration of federal relief have left transit systems on the brink of significant service cuts. Let’s not cut the legs out from transit’s remarkable recovery. This legislation recognizes that investing in public transit will cut pollution, promote affordable transportation, support local economies and help people get where they need to go.
“During the COVID-19 public health emergency, public transit ridership decreased. Since, ridership has rebounded. without renewed investment, the U.S. risks losing up to 20% of its transit service in 2025, according to our analysis. This would harm the over 10 million households in the United States that don’t have cars by making it harder for them to get to work, school, access essential services and otherwise participate in the economy.
“Representative Johnson’s bill can begin to build a system that meets the needs of people across the United States. Research from the American Public Transportation Association shows that every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports over 50,000 jobs and generates $5 billion in economic returns.
“Quality public transportation is crucial for a healthy and equitable economy. But to build that system, it needs to be invested in. We applaud Representative Johnson for reintroducing this bill, and the nearly 100 other representatives who joined as original co-sponsors.
"Congressmembers who care about the mobility of the workforce, seniors and constituents with disabilities should support the Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act and advocate for its inclusion in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization package.”