Today, more than 100 transit and environmental groups sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees demanding that they keep the promise of the bipartisan infrastructure bill and fully fund transit throughout the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process.
The letter, which was organized by the National Campaign for Transit Justice, and signed by NRDC, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, Transportation for America, National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and many others, states:
“We write to you today to urgently ask you to keep the promise of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) throughout the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process, particularly when it comes to programs that make transit more affordable and accessible.
With great economic uncertainty throughout our economy, public transit is more important than ever. Public transit is not only an engine for economic growth and jobs; it is also an important bulwark against our dependence on foreign oil.
At this critical moment, the IIJA gives cities and states the ability to expand public transit options, replace thousands of deficient transit vehicles, including buses, with clean, zero-emission vehicles, and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities. But that is not possible unless Congress fulfills its promise to the American public and fully funds the vital programs contained in the bill.”
The groups specifically asked Congress to fund
- Transit
- RAISE and MEGA Competitive Grant Programs
- Healthy Streets Program
- Reconnecting Communities
- Thriving Communities
- Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP)