Federal transit-rail investment backs APTA’s case

Federal transit-rail investment is at the center of a new report released this week by APTA and prepared by EBP. According to the report, APTA’s proposals for the next federal surface transportation reauthorization would generate $5 billion in long-term economic value for every $1 billion invested.

APTA recommendations for the next funding bill

In February, the American Public Transportation Association published its recommendations for the next multiyear federal surface transportation package. Also, that legislation will replace the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which is due to expire on Sept. 30.

Don’t miss…FS acquires Titagarh Firema in rail manufacturing move

According to APTA officials in a press release, the association is calling on Congress and the Trump administration to provide $138 billion for public transit investment and $130 billion for passenger rail investment over the next five years, as reported by Progressive Railroading. The proposals are tied to the coming surface transportation reauthorization legislation and outline APTA’s funding plan for the sector.

Federal transit-rail investment and project delivery

APTA also wants statutory and regulatory barriers that affect transit infrastructure projects to be removed, saying that faster approvals would help speed up project delivery. At the same time, stronger federal support would allow transit agencies to address the nationwide state-of-good-repair backlog, which APTA officials said is now more than $150 billion.

In addition, the EBP report found that the recommended funding would deliver “strong taxpayer returns” through job creation, higher tax revenue, better access to jobs and health care, less road congestion and lower household transportation costs. It also said the recommendations would generate $140 billion in annual economic impact, as previously covered by Railway Supply.

Economic impact and job creation

Meanwhile, over the five-year period, the proposed investment would create or sustain 41,400 jobs across construction, manufacturing, operations and supplier industries, according to APTA officials. Separately, they also said it would generate $251 million in federal, state and local tax revenue during those five years.

“These results are not accidental. They are the direct outcome of Federal leadership and investment,” said Paul Skoutelas, president and CEO of APTA. “When the federal government invests in public transportation, communities see real improvements, such as expanded service, modern vehicles, good-paying jobs, and stronger local economies.”

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: