Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026

The Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to fund transit-oriented development planning, primarily affecting state and local governments, transit agencies, and communities seeking to improve public transportation access. It expands eligible projects to include fixed guideway bus rapid transit and corridor improvements in existing systems, while requiring grantees to conduct community engagement, accessibility assessments, and feasibility studies as part of predevelopment activities. The bill authorizes $75 million annually for fiscal years 2027-2031 to support these planning efforts, with specific mandates to improve access for people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations through infrastructure and connectivity planning.