APTA and more than 100 other organizations sent a letter to all members of the House of Representatives Sept. 21 urging them to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) when it reaches the floor.

 

The letter noted that the bill “represents a historic opportunity to provide substantial economic and quality of life enhancements to communities across the country and to build for the future. The investments made in the package would facilitate long overdue repairs and improvements to our roads, bridges, rail and public transportation, and other critical infrastructure…”

 

By including a five-year reauthorization of federal highway, public transportation and passenger rail programs, the legislation would also ensure states and localities have much-needed funding and policy certainty to proceed with planned projects. These programs are currently operating under an extension set to expire Sept. 30.

 

FTA has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) of up to $409.6 million for building and maintaining buses and public transit vans through its Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program—FTA’s largest annual discretionary package.

 

“The Biden Administration believes that expanding and improving bus service is an essential part of reaching our ambitious economic, climate, equity, safety and accessibility goals,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg. “This funding will help transit agencies modernize their bus fleets and better connect their riders with jobs and opportunities—benefits we can bring to even more communities with passage of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act.”

 

As part of the Administration’s focus on fighting climate change, FTA encourages applicants to consider significant community benefits related to the environment, including those projects that incorporate low- or no-emission technology or specific elements to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts.

 

“Transit operators nationwide have an opportunity to replace aging buses and facilities with newer, cleaner infrastructure that is more efficient to operate and maintain,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “Modern buses, particularly those powered with battery-electric or fuel cells, improve air quality and help us address the climate crisis.”

 

Instructions for applying can be found on FTA’s website and in GRANTS.GOV (funding opportunity FTA 2021-008-TPM-Bus). The deadline to submit proposals is Nov. 19, 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

Peter Rogoff, CEO of Sound Transit, Seattle, WA, has announced he is to step down in the second quarter of 2022.

 

Upon his arrival at the agency in early 2016, Rogoff worked with the board of directors and communities across the region to help shape and earn voter approval for the Sound Transit 3 Plan of service extensions, while leading efforts to advance major light rail expansions to the east, north and south. He also sharpened the agency’s focus on sustainability and improving the rider experience, while advancing equitable access to transit and affordable housing.

 

For APTA, Rogoff is a member of the board of directors and Public Transportation CEO Coordinating Council and serves on the Rail Transit CEOs, Mid-Size Operations and Finance committees, among others