How might a federal program to fund transit service be structured? What difference would it make for transit riders?

The pandemic brought about sudden and severe cutbacks in service last spring. Nearly all transit agencies have restored some service since then, but a TransitCenter analysis shows wide variation.

Earlier this week, the American Public Transportation Association requested $39.3 billion in relief funding to help transit agencies maintain service and withstand the financial impacts caused by COVID-19. A plan moving through in Congress would reserve about $30 billion for transit. And the Biden administration had earlier proposed $20 billion for transit in the next relief package. What should we make of these different proposals?

Our latest video illustrates how increasing the amount of transit service by 40% can dramatically expand access to good transit and bring many more jobs within reach of riders.

On December 17th, TransitCenter held a ceremony recognizing this year’s Frequency Award winners. Here’s a list of the honorees, and a bit about why their work was so important: 

Even during a pandemic that has severely reduced transit ridership and created uncertainty about household budgets, voters on November 3 recognized the value of transit and decided to ramp up public investment in their local systems.

Before COVID-19 struck, LA Metro seemed to be turning a corner on bus service with the ambitious network redesign known as NextGen. But the new budget plan signals a return to the days when Metro regularly overlooked the bus riders who make the vast majority of trips on its services.

In a new report, TransitCenter provides a roadmap for policy makers to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, safeguard transit workers and transit riders, and prepare transit to serve a critical role in the recovery.