USDOT Proposal Threatens Dedicated Federal Transit Funding

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy recently outlined several recommendations to Senate committee leaders regarding the next Surface Transportation Authorization Act, including a proposal to eliminate the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund.

As the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) noted in its response, eliminating the Mass Transit Account would remove guaranteed funding from transit formula grants, jeopardizing more than 85% of federal public transit and passenger rail investments across the county.

The draft Surface Transportation Authorization bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives includes $87.6 billion from the Mass Transit Account for fiscal years 2027 to 2031 – an increase from the $69.8 billion provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  The U.S. Sensate has yet to introduce its version of the legislation.  Congress has until September 30, when the current authorization expires, to either pass a new Surface Transportation Authorization Act or approve a temporary extension of the existing law.

Learn More

For additional information about the USDOT proposals, review the following resources:

Make Your Voice Heard

The Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) encourages transit supporters across Missouri to contact their members of Congress and urge them to reject proposals that would eliminate the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. Stable, dedicated funding is essential to maintaining and improving public transportation systems that connect people to jobs, healthcare, education, and opportunity.

Please contact Missouri’s congressional delegation and encourage them to support continued, dedicated federal investment in public transit.

U.S. Senators

U.S. House of Representatives