Transportation (Public Transit)

S 2957, the Small Communities Transit Improvement Act, increases federal funding for transit systems in small cities. It amends Section 5336(h)(3) of the U.S. Code to raise the required funding percentage from 3% to 5% for "small transit intensive cities" under existing federal transit programs. This change directly affects smaller communities that qualify as transit-intensive, providing them with a higher share of available federal transit funds. The bill modifies a specific funding formula without creating new programs or altering eligibility criteria.

HR 2710, the People Over Parking Act of 2025, removes requirements for developers to provide a set number of parking spots for new or substantially rebuilt residential, retail, commercial, or industrial buildings located within 0.5 miles of a qualifying public transit point. It directly affects property owners and local governments by giving developers sole discretion over parking provision in these areas, overriding conflicting state or local parking mandates. The bill defines "covered public transit points" as fixed guideway access (like train stations) or bus stops with two or more frequent routes (15-minute peak interval), excluding most standard bus stops. This policy change aims to reduce parking requirements near transit, potentially lowering development costs and land use for parking.

HR 409, the Supporting Transit Commutes Act, amends the federal tax code to improve tax treatment for employers providing transit benefits. It allows employers to deduct the full amount of qualified transit benefits (like bus or train passes) up to the existing limit, instead of a reduced amount, for benefits provided through salary reduction agreements. This directly affects employers who offer transit passes or similar commuting benefits to employees. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date. The policy change simplifies tax deductions for these benefits without altering the benefit limits themselves.

This bill provides $50 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to fund security measures for public transit systems in urbanized areas, removing previous population requirements that limited access. It allows transit agencies to use these funds for hiring additional officers, contracting with local police, and making physical safety upgrades like monitoring devices and operator shields. Additionally, it mandates a study by the National Academies (with input from transit workers) to evaluate crime prevention tactics, including successful and unsuccessful approaches used by transit agencies. The bill directly affects transit agencies and passengers by prioritizing safety infrastructure and data-driven crime reduction strategies.

The Thriving Communities Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to help fast-growing communities develop infrastructure projects, particularly those connecting housing with public transit. It authorizes $100 million annually for the Transportation Secretary and $5.5 million for the Housing Secretary to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support. The program requires regular reports to Congress on funding methods, coordination between agencies, and metrics used to distribute grants. This directly affects local governments in rapidly expanding areas seeking to improve transportation and housing infrastructure through federal support.

The Resilient Transit Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to fund public transportation resilience projects addressing climate change impacts like flooding, wildfires, and extreme weather. It directs $300 million for fiscal year 2026 to help state and local transit agencies in underserved communities - including low-income areas, communities of color, Tribal communities, and medically underserved regions - improve infrastructure. Eligible projects include installing flood barriers, backup power systems, vulnerability assessments, and climate adaptation planning. Recipients must report annually on how funds are used, with specific focus on projects benefiting communities identified through federal environmental justice mapping tools.