Biden Administration calls for $621 billion in transportation investment over eight years
The administration wants $165 billion invested in public transit and passenger rail to reduce congestion, improve service and tackle a multi-million-dollar backlog of repairs.
The Biden Administration released its proposal for a job and infrastructure plan on March 31 that will cost an estimated $2 trillion over eight years and will be funded through changes in the corporate tax code that the administration says incentivizes job creation, stops the shift to tax havens and makes large corporations responsible for “paying their fair share.” Read More
Job Postings
See our updatedlisting of job openings and shared by SWTA members.
Dallas City Council approves DART D2 Subway resolution
The Dallas City Council has unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) D2 Subway Project, a second light-rail line that will run through downtown Dallas and extend from Victory Park to Deep Ellum. Read More
Citizen Potawatomi Nation is pleased to provide a transportation service free of charge
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is pleased to provide a transportation service to Shawnee and Tecumseh-area residents free of charge. This service is to help those 18 years of age and older get to their medical appointments, go shopping, gain their GED, apply for jobs, and be able to participate in programs such as the meals at the senior center and more. Read More
Lewisville agreement to relocate business paves way to redevelop Old Town site
The Lewisville City Council paved the way for John Burns Construction to relocate from 655 E. Main St. to a larger site on Railroad Street just southwest of Pro-Tow Wrecker Service.
The council approved an economic development agreement on April 5 with the company that will cost the city about $221,000 over 10 years while also freeing up space in Old Town for redevelopment in line with the city’s Old Town Master Plan. Read More
TX: Sun Metro Mass Transit Department seeks increased bus fares and end of free transfers
Sun Metro is looking for ways to survive the decline in ridership brought on by the pandemic — and that could mean higher fares down the road.
Ellen Smyth, managing director of the city's Sun Metro Mass Transit and Environmental Services departments, proposed increasing fares for bus and LIFT riders, as well as eliminating free transfers, during an El Paso City Council meeting March 2. Read More
On March 30, SWTA – along with 9 state transit associations – presented our latest Transit Tuesday Webinar: Moving Forward in 2021, which presented the latest details on transit legislation and policy in the nation's capital. SWTA Executive Director Rich Sampson co-hosted the session and Katie Kachel, who represents SWTA in Washington with the firm Chambers, Conlon & Hartwell, offered key details on the re-introduction of earmarks and how the Biden Administration views transit investments in the context of its larger priorities.
Also, SWTA has prepared a brief overview of the Biden Administration's American Jobs Plan, which proposes $80 billion in new transit investment along with many other programs. The overview shares some initial observations on how the Plan may interact with reauthorization of the FAST Act.
Also, U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (Ill.) & Jimmy Panetta (Calif.) recently introduced legislation to increase the set-aside for the Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) program. If your system benefits from this incentive-based funding, contact your member of Congress & encourage them to co-sponsor H.R. 2306.
UPCOMING EVENTS FROM STATE & NATIONAL TRANSIT ASSOCIATIONS
April 13: SWTA Marketing Committee Meeting - details to come!
