The House Rules Committee posted the details of the $1.3 trillion FY18 Omnibus Appropriations bill outlining funding for remainder of fiscal year through Sept. 30, 2018. The FTA was funded at $13.5 billion, $1B above 2017 enacted levels. In addition, funding for Bus and Bus Facilities was increased by $400 million in FY 2018. Transit formula grants came in at the recommended FAST levels with $834 million in additional transit infrastructure spending including $400M for Section 5339 bus and bus facility funding.
MPTA has been reporting for several years on the need to increase funding for bus operating and capital needs — especially the need to expand funding to replace dilapidated fleets and facilities by looking at the age and mileage on the assets. This is a significant problem across the board for MPTA transit service providers in both the rural and urban areas of the state. Historically, the funds available under the Bus Capital and No-Lo Emission programs are significantly lower than the needs demonstrated through the grantee applications.
In the new bill, the Appropriators distributed the money to the formula, competitive grant and Low/No programs.
- The Formula program received an additional $209.1 million – providing $654.6 million in 2018.
- The Competitive Grant program received an additional $161.45 million – providing $407.95 million for 2018.
- The No/Low Emissions program received an additional $29.45 million – providing $84.45 million in 2018.