119-hr5230

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5230 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 5230

To amend chapter 53, United States Code, to increase local bus service 
 to levels needed to combat the climate crisis, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 September 9, 2025

 Mr. Frost introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To amend chapter 53, United States Code, to increase local bus service 
 to levels needed to combat the climate crisis, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Faster Buses 
Better Futures Act''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Bus network redesign grants.

Sec. 3. Transit stop shelter and station accessibility.

Sec. 4. Transit priority measures.

Sec. 5. State purchasing for bus stop equipment.

Sec. 6. Federal Transit Administration staffing and administrative 
 funding.

SEC. 2. BUS NETWORK REDESIGN GRANTS.

 Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

    (1) in 

section 5307
            (c) (1) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (K) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end; and
        (B) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (M) plans to complete a bus network redesign by 
 fiscal year 2045 and, beginning in fiscal year 2045 and 
 each fiscal year thereafter, has completed a bus 
 network redesign in the preceding 20-year period; 
 and''; and

    (2) in 

section 5339--
        (A) in subsection

    (b) --
            (i) by amending paragraph

    (2) to read as 
 follows:
 ``

    (2) Grant considerations.--In making grants under this 
 subsection, the Secretary shall--
 ``
        (A) consider the age and condition of buses, bus 
 fleets, related equipment, and bus-related facilities; 
 and
 ``
        (B) give priority to eligible recipients who have 
 received a grant under subsection

    (e) and have 
 successfully increased bus ridership as a result of the 
 bus network redesign carried out with such grant.''; 
 and
            (ii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (12) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection 
 $20,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 
 2030.''; and
        (B) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (e) Bus Network Redesign Grants.--
 ``

    (1) Grants authorized.--Not later than 720 days after the 
 date of enactment of the Faster Buses Better Futures Act, the 
 Secretary shall establish a program to award grants, on a 
 competitive basis, to eligible entities.
 ``

    (2) Application.--To receive a grant under this 
 subsection, an eligible entity shall complete an eligible bus 
 network redesign and submit to the Secretary an application at 
 such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
 the Secretary may require, including--
 ``
        (A) an overview of the existing bus network;
 ``
        (B) an overview of the eligible bus network 
 redesign;
 ``
            (C) an analysis of the impact of the bus network 
 redesign on--
 ``
            (i) service hours; and
 ``
            (ii) route miles;
 ``
            (D) an analysis demonstrating that the eligible 
 bus network redesign can increase transit ridership by 
 100 percent not later than 6 years after such redesign 
 is implemented;
 ``
        (E) an evaluation examining any equity and 
 mobility gaps in each transit system operated by the 
 eligible entity or in the geographic area under the 
 jurisdiction of the eligible entity, and how the 
 eligible bus network redesign will significantly close 
 such gaps, including--
 ``
            (i) public transit ridership rates, 
 disaggregated by--
 ``
            (I) mode of transit; and
 ``
            (II) demographic group, including 
 youth (including foster care youth), 
 seniors, individuals with disabilities, 
 and low-income individuals; and
 ``
            (ii) average length of bus routes, 
 average speed of bus routes, and average delay 
 times of bus routes;
 ``
        (F) an estimation of additional costs that the 
 eligible entity will incur in order to implement the 
 eligible bus network redesign, including--
 ``
            (i) fuel costs;
 ``
            (ii) personnel costs;
 ``
            (iii) maintenance costs; and
 ``
            (iv) other operational costs; and
 ``
        (G) a description of eligible projects that the 
 eligible entity intends to carry out to implement the 
 eligible bus network redesign, including--
 ``
            (i) expanding bus fleets; and
 ``
            (ii) constructing additional bus garages.
 ``

    (3) Grant uses.--A grant awarded under this section may 
 only be used to--
 ``
        (A) carry out eligible projects; and
 ``
        (B) pay for the difference in operating costs 
 between the existing level of fixed-route bus service 
 and the level outlined in the eligible bus network 
 redesign submitted pursuant to paragraph

    (2) .
 ``

    (4) Federal share.--
 ``
        (A) Eligible projects.--The Federal share of the 
 costs described in paragraph

    (3)
        (A) shall be 80 
 percent.
 ``
        (B) First 3-year period.--In calculating the 
 Federal share of the costs described in paragraph

    (3)
        (B) --
 ``
            (i) for the 3-year period beginning on 
 the date on which an eligible entity receives a 
 grant under this subsection, such Federal share 
 shall be 100 percent; and
 ``
            (ii) for any period of a grant award that 
 is during the 3-year period beginning on the 
 date on which the period described in clause
            (i) ends, such Federal share shall be 33 
 percent.
 ``

    (5) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection, 
 the Secretary shall prioritize awarding grants to eligible 
 entities that propose an eligible bus network redesign that is 
 capable of increasing transit ridership by the largest 
 percentage.
 ``

    (6) Conditions of grant assistance.--As a condition of 
 receiving a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity 
 shall--
 ``
        (A) in the case of an entity that is a recipient 
 of a grant under 

section 5307--
 ``
            (i) report to the Federal Transit 
 Administration, for inclusion in the National 
 Transit Database--
 ``
            (I) the service frequency, 
 vehicle revenue hours, and unlinked 
 passenger trips originating and 
 terminating in areas of persistent 
 poverty and underserved communities;
 ``
            (II) the number of jobs and 
 essential services accessible by 
 transit, and improvement in such 
 access, including specific reporting on 
 access by transit for areas of 
 persistent poverty and underserved 
 communities; and
 ``
            (III) any other data the 
 Secretary determines necessary and 
 appropriate; and
 ``
            (ii) during the 1-year period preceding 
 the date on which the entity receives such 
 grant, and at least every 2 years thereafter, 
 conduct a survey of transit riders and 
 nonriding residents of areas of persistent 
 poverty and underserved communities on transit 
 service improvements, using means designed to 
 maximize participation from riders and 
 nonriders, and publish the survey results in an 
 online format;
 ``
        (B) in the case of an entity that is Indian 
 Tribe--
 ``
            (i) report to the Federal Transit 
 Administration, for inclusion in the National 
 Transit Database--
 ``
            (I) revenue vehicle hours and 
 unlinked passenger trips; and
 ``
            (II) any other data the Secretary 
 determines necessary and appropriate; 
 and
 ``
            (ii) during the 1-year period preceding 
 the date on which the entity receives such 
 grant, and at least every 2 years thereafter, 
 conduct a survey of transit riders and 
 nonriding residents of the service area on 
 transit service improvements, using means 
 designed to maximize participation from riders 
 and nonriders, and publish the survey results 
 in an online format; and
 ``
            (C) in the case of an entity that is a State 
 receiving a grant under 

section 5311--
 ``
            (i) report to the Federal Transit 
 Administration, for inclusion in the National 
 Transit Database--
 ``
            (I) revenue vehicle hours for 
 each State, including revenue vehicle 
 hours and unlinked passenger trips 
 originating and terminating in areas of 
 persistent poverty and underserved 
 communities; and
 ``
            (II) any other data the Secretary 
 determines necessary and appropriate;
 ``
            (ii) provide an annually updated report 
 to the Secretary--
 ``
            (I) that identifies underserved 
 communities and areas of persistent 
 poverty in the nonurbanized areas of 
 the State that do not have any reported 
 public transit services, or in which 
 either the availability or utilization 
 of rural public transit is in the 
 bottom quintile of all rural public 
 transit services in the United States, 
 using measurements identified by the 
 Secretary; and
 ``
            (II) that describes progress 
 toward achieving a strategy for 
 establishing high-quality transit 
 service in such communities and areas; 
 and
 ``
            (iii) during the 1-year period preceding 
 the date on which the State receives such 
 grant, and at least every 2 years thereafter, 
 conduct a survey of transit riders and 
 nonriding residents of areas of persistent 
 poverty and underserved communities within the 
 State regarding transit service improvements, 
 using means designed to maximize participation 
 from riders and nonriders, and publishes the 
 survey results in an online format.
 ``

    (7) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
 be construed to prevent an eligible entity from implementing a 
 redesigned bus network through the use of any other Federal or 
 non-Federal funds.
 ``

    (8) Authorization of appropriations.--To carry out this 
 subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated 
 $250,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 
 2030.
 ``

    (9) === Definitions. ===
-In this subsection:
 ``
        (A) Additional forms of collective 
 transportation.--The term `additional forms of 
 collective transportation' means forms of collective 
 transportation that are not considered public 
 transportation, including intercity passenger rail 
 transportation, intercity bus service, and school bus 
 service.
 ``
        (B) Area of persistent poverty.--The term `area 
 of persistent poverty' means--
 ``
            (i) a county that has consistently had 
 greater than or equal to 20 percent of the 
 population of such county living in poverty 
 during the most recent 30-year period for which 
 data is available, as measured by the 1990 and 
 2000 decennial censuses; or
 ``
            (ii) a census tract with a poverty rate 
 of at least 20 percent as measured by the 2014 
 through 2018 5-year data series available from 
 the American Community Survey of the Bureau of 
 the Census.
 ``
            (iii) Eligible bus network redesign.--The 
 term `eligible bus network redesign' means a 
 fixed route bus network redesign that--
 ``
            (I) through eligible projects, is 
 expected to increase total transit 
 network ridership levels by 100 percent 
 more than such ridership levels as of 
 April 1, 2025, by the end of the 6-year 
 period beginning on the date of 
 implementation of such redesign;
 ``
            (II) is informed by extensive, 
 equitable outreach to affected 
 communities, underserved communities, 
 and areas of persistent poverty 
 communities; and
 ``
            (III) does not rely on ridership 
 increases from--
 ``

    (aa) microtransit;
 ``

    (bb) automated buses; and
 ``
            (cc) fare elimination.
 ``
            (iv) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible 
 entity' means a recipient of funds under 
 

section 5307 or 5311.
 ``
            (v) Eligible project.--The term `eligible 
 project' means any project, or program of 
 projects, that is implemented as part of an 
 eligible bus network redesign, including--
 ``
            (I) a project that reconfigures 
 routes to better serve trips 
 individuals are seeking to take;
 ``
            (II) a project that improves 
 integration of fixed route bus service 
 and--
 ``

    (aa) higher order forms 
 of public transportation; and
 ``

    (bb) additional forms of 
 collective transportation;
 ``
            (III) a project that consolidates 
 stops on fixed route bus service;
 ``
            (IV) a project that rationalizes 
 fare policies through means such as 
 fare integration, fare capping, and 
 fare subsidization;
 ``
            (V) a project that decreases 
 headways;
 ``
            (VI) a project that expands 
 service area, hours, or days;
 ``
            (VII) a project for new or 
 increased frequent nonfixed guideway 
 service or frequent fixed guideway 
 service; and
 ``
            (VIII) associated capital 
 improvements related to projects 
 described in clauses
            (i) through
            (vii) .
 ``
            (vi) Higher-order forms of public 
 transportation.--The term `higher-order forms 
 of public transportation' means bus rapid 
 transit, light rail transit, heavy rail 
 transit, and commuter rail.
 ``
            (vii) Overview.--The term `overview' 
 means a list of routes on a bus network, a 
 timetable for each route, and a map showing 
 each route, with connections to higher-order 
 forms of public transportation and additional 
 collective transportation noted on the 
 timetable and map.
 ``
            (viii) Underserved community.--The term 
 `underserved community' means--
 ``
            (I) a census tract or block 
 numbering area in which the median 
 income does not exceed 80 percent of 
 the area median income;
 ``
            (II) families with income not 
 greater than 100 percent of the area 
 median income that reside in minority 
 census tracts;
 ``
            (III) families with income not 
 greater than 100 percent of the area 
 median income that reside in areas 
 affected by disasters, as determined by 
 the Administrator of the Federal 
 Transit Administration;
 ``
            (IV) a census tract that has a 
 minority population of at least 30 
 percent or a median income of less than 
 100 percent of the area median income;
 ``
            (V) a community that has low 
 access to jobs and essential services, 
 as determined by the Secretary; or
 ``
            (VI) a census block or group of 
 geographically contiguous census blocks 
 in which the population of any racial 
 or ethnic minority individuals, 
 individually or in combination, 
 comprises 30 percent or more of the 
 population of persons in the census 
 block or group of geographically 
 contiguous census blocks.''.

SEC. 3. TRANSIT STOP SHELTER AND STATION ACCESSIBILITY.

 

Section 5337 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
 ``

    (g) Bus Stop Shelter Reimbursement Program.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall reimburse an 
 eligible entity for installing bus stop shelters if such entity 
 followed the formal process established under paragraph

    (3) for 
 the installation of each such shelter.
 ``

    (2) Reimbursement amount.--The Secretary shall annually 
 determine the amount for which an eligible entity shall be 
 reimbursed for each bus stop shelter that such entity verifies 
 has been successfully installed, including any additional 
 amounts necessary for bus stop shelters to meet different 
 weather standards. The Secretary shall set such amount at a 
 level that--
 ``
        (A) maintains purchasing power for the eligible 
 entity relying on such amount;
 ``
        (B) ensures that such amount is sufficient to 
 discourage inflation; and
 ``
            (C) incentivizes eligible entities to use 
 products covered by a Federal purchasing schedule 
 authorized under 

section 5 of the Faster Buses Better 
 Futures Act.
 ``

    (3) Establishment of formal process.--The Secretary shall 
 establish a formal process for the instillation of bus stop 
 shelters to be reimbursable under this subsection that 
 includes--
 ``
        (A) an annual notice of funding opportunity that 
 requires an eligible entity seeking reimbursement to--
 ``
            (i) submit to the Secretary a bus shelter 
 plan;
 ``
            (ii) each year after the submission of a 
 plan under clause
            (i) , submit to the Secretary 
 a report containing--
 ``
            (I) the progress the eligible 
 entity has made in implementing the bus 
 shelter plan with both Federal and non-
 Federal funds; and
 ``
            (II) the total cost of the bus 
 stop shelters installed by such entity;
 ``
            (iii) indicate the quantity and location 
 of proposed bus stop shelters;
 ``
            (iv) ensure that each proposed bus stop 
 shelter meets weather standards; and
 ``
            (v) indicate how the proposed bus stop 
 shelter installations will be coordinated with 
 any other capital projects taking place at bus 
 stops with such proposed installations, 
 including--
 ``
            (I) projects funded under 

section 5309;
 ``
            (II) transit priority measures 
 authorized under 

section 5323

    (w) ; and
 ``
            (III) projects funded under 
 subsection

    (h) ; and
 ``
        (B) a period between 270 and 365 days after the 
 Notice of Funding Opportunity opens in which the 
 eligible entity provides to the Secretary--
 ``
            (i) the number and location of the bus 
 stop shelters proposed in the bus shelter plan 
 that have been installed; and
 ``
            (ii) verification, in a form determined 
 by the Secretary, that the bus stop shelters 
 identified in clause
            (i) --
 ``
            (I) were constructed; and
 ``
            (II) meet weather standards.
 ``

    (4) Grant requirements.--Except as otherwise provided in 
 this subsection, amounts provided under this subsection shall 
 be subject to the requirements of 

section 5307 of title 49, 
 United States Code.
 ``

    (5) === Definitions. ===
-In this subsection:
 ``
        (B) Bus shelter plan.--The term `bus shelter 
 plan' means a plan prepared by an eligible entity 
 that--
 ``
            (i) identifies which bus stops under the 
 jurisdiction of the entity that do not either 
 shelter, seating, or both;
 ``
            (ii) the order of priority for installing 
 bus stop shelters at stops identified in clause
            (i) ; and
 ``
            (iii) how the order of priority listed in 
 clause
            (ii) addresses equity of service to all 
 riders regardless of whether the riders are 
 low-income, seniors, or members of a community 
 of color.
 ``
            (C) Bus stop shelter.--The term `bus stop 
 shelter' means a structure installed at a stop on a 
 fixed-route bus service that--
 ``
            (i) meets weather standards;
 ``
            (ii) provides seating; and
 ``
            (iii) has signage that tracks arrival 
 time of transit vehicles.
 ``
            (D) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' 
 means a recipient or subrecipient of assistance under 
 

section 5307 or 5311.
 ``
        (E) Weather standards.--The term `weather 
 standards' means guidelines, as determined by the 
 Secretary, outlining what protection a bus stop shelter 
 provides individuals based on weather conditions, 
 including--
 ``
            (i) levels of rain, snow, and other types 
 of precipitation;
 ``
            (ii) heat and sunshine; and
 ``
            (iii) extreme cold.
 ``

    (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
 to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2030 to provide grants under this subsection.
 ``

    (h) All Stations Accessibility Program.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants under this 
 subsection to assist eligible entities in financing capital 
 projects to upgrade accessibility for individuals with 
 disabilities by increasing the number of covered stations that 
 meet the construction standards of title II of the Americans 
 with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.).
 ``

    (2) Eligible costs.--A grant awarded under this section 
 shall be used by an eligible entity for the purpose described 
 in paragraph

    (1) only--
 ``
        (A) for a project to repair, improve, or relocate 
 station infrastructure at a covered station;
 ``
        (B) to develop or modify a plan for pursuing 
 public transportation accessibility projects; or
 ``
            (C) to carry out other projects at covered 
 stations that meet the construction standards of title 
 II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.).
 ``

    (3) Eligible facilities.--The Secretary--
 ``
        (A) may not provide a grant under this subsection 
 to upgrade a station that is accessible to, and usable 
 by, individuals with disabilities consistent with 
 construction standards under title II the Americans 
 with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.); 
 and
 ``
        (B) may provide a grant to upgrade a station that 
 is not accessible and usable as described in paragraph

    (1) , even if related services, programs, or activities, 
 if viewed in entirety, are readily accessible and 
 usable as so described.
 ``

    (4) Application.--To apply for a grant under this 
 subsection, an applicant shall provide to the Secretary such 
 information as the Secretary may require, including information 
 on--
 ``
        (A) the extent to which the proposed project will 
 increase the accessibility of a covered system;
 ``
        (B) projected improvements in access to jobs, 
 community activities, and essential destinations 
 provided by such project;
 ``
            (C) the applicant's plans to--
 ``
            (i) enhance the customer experience and 
 maximize accessibility of stations, and the 
 transit options such stations serve, for 
 individuals with disabilities;
 ``
            (ii) improve the operations of, provide 
 efficiencies of service to, and enhance the 
 public transportation system for individuals 
 with disabilities; and
 ``
            (iii) address equity of service to all 
 riders regardless of whether the riders are 
 low-income, seniors, or members of a community 
 of color; and
 ``
            (D) coordination between the applicant and 
 disability advocacy entities.
 ``

    (5) Federal share.--The Federal share of the total 
 project cost of a grant provided under this subsection shall be 
 90 percent. The recipient may provide additional local matching 
 amounts.
 ``

    (6) Grant requirements.--Except as otherwise provided 
 under this subsection, a grant provided under this subsection 
 shall be subject to the requirements of 

section 5307.
 ``

    (7) Grant solicitation.--The Secretary may provide funds 
 authorized under this subsection through 1 or more notices of 
 funding opportunity.
 ``

    (8) Funding .--
 ``
        (A) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
 authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for each 
 of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to provide grants 
 under this subsection.
 ``
        (B) Availability of amounts.--Amounts made 
 available under this subsection shall be available for 
 a period of 4 fiscal years after the fiscal year in 
 which the amount is made available.
 ``

    (9) === Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``
        (A) Covered station.--The term `covered station' 
 means a bus station, a multimodal transfer station, or 
 a rail fixed guideway public transportation station for 
 passenger use constructed prior to the date of 
 enactment of the Faster Buses Better Futures Act.
 ``
        (B) Disability.--The term `disability' has the 
 meaning given such term in 

section 3 of the Americans 
 with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
 ``
            (C) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' 
 means--
 ``
            (i) a recipient or subrecipient of 
 assistance under 

section 5307 or 5311; or
 ``
            (ii) a State or local government that 
 operates a rail fixed guideway public 
 transportation system that was in operation 
 before July 26, 1990.''.

SEC. 4. TRANSIT PRIORITY MEASURES.

    (a) In General.--

Section 5323 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (w) Prioritizing Transit Vehicles.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The owners of public rights-of-way shall 
 cooperate to the maximum extent feasible with transit providers 
 to ensure that transit vehicles that run at grade are able to 
 complete routes in as reliable and frequent a manner as 
 possible.
 ``

    (2) By-right transit priority measures.--A transit 
 provider may request that the owner of a public right-of-way 
 implement transit priority measures on suitable corridors and 
 the owner of said public right-of-way shall carry out specified 
 collaboration with the transit provider to complete such 
 request to the satisfaction of the transit provider.
 ``

    (3) Consultation of federal transit administration.--If a 
 transit provider determines that a request for transit priority 
 measures has not been adequately incorporated into a project on 
 a suitable corridor or the owner of a public right-of-way 
 believes that a transit provider is making unreasonable 
 requests, the transit provider or the public right-of-way owner 
 may request that the regional office of the Federal Transit 
 Administration make a determination on the matter. Such 
 regional office shall defer to the transit provider unless the 
 owner of the public right-of-way can provide evidence--
 ``
        (A) that allocating funding to implement 
 requested transit priority measures would threaten the 
 state of good repair of the overall public 
 transportation system, even if funds from all projects 
 to construct new capacity, or maintain existing 
 capacity through reconstruction, for single-occupancy 
 passenger vehicles were reallocated to either--
 ``
            (i) implementing requested transit 
 priority measures; or
 ``
            (ii) maintaining the state of good repair 
 of the overall transportation system; or
 ``
        (B) that--
 ``
            (i) the benefits a transit provider 
 expects to see from the implementation of 
 requested transit priority measures are 
 factually incorrect as based on--
 ``
            (I) transportation demand 
 modeling; and
 ``
            (II) real-world examples of 
 similar projects in the United States 
 and other countries; and
 ``
            (ii) the corridor where transit priority 
 measures have been requested is not actually a 
 suitable corridor.
 ``

    (4) Prevention of compliance-avoiding service 
 alterations.--A transit provider may not alter the frequency of 
 service on fixed-route transit service with the purpose of 
 ensuring a public right-of-way does not meet the requirements 
 of a suitable corridor.
 ``

    (5) Penalties for non-compliance.--If a regional office 
 of the Federal Transit Administration finds by a preponderance 
 of the evidence that a public right-of-way owner is not 
 complying with paragraph

    (2) or a transit provider is in 
 violation of paragraph

    (4) , the Secretary shall not award any 
 discretionary grants to that public right-of-way owner for the 
 following year.
 ``

    (6) In-kind match.--Of the non-Federal share required for 
 any projects that complete transit priority measures requested 
 through this subsection, 25 percent may be derived from amounts 
 expended for associated capital improvements related to a 
 project or program that implements transit priority measures.
 ``

    (7) === Definitions. ===
-In this subsection:
 ``
        (A) Specified collaboration.--The term `specified 
 collaboration' means--
 ``
            (i) the owner of a public right-of-way 
 about which a transit provider has made a 
 formal request shall--
 ``
            (I) respond not later than 180 
 days after the date on which such owner 
 submits such request with--
 ``

    (aa) the expected cost of 
 implementing the requested 
 transit priority measures;
 ``

    (bb) an identification of 
 any funding sources such owner 
 expects to use to construct the 
 requested transit priority 
 measures; and
 ``
            (cc) any timelines for 
 completion of the construction 
 of such measure, depending on 
 any variations in 
 circumstances, taking into 
 consideration--

 ``

    (AA) how existing 
 funds from chapter 53 
 of title 49 and chapter 
 1 of title 23 are 
 spent; and

 ``

    (BB) how long it 
 may take to access 
 additional needed 
 funding; and

 ``
            (II) work with transit providers 
 to create the maximum feasible impact 
 of implementing transit priority 
 measures in the most expeditious manner 
 possible by--
 ``

    (aa) adding transit 
 priority measures to all 
 projects scheduled to begin 
 construction not later than 365 
 days of the date of enactment 
 of this subsection, including--

 ``

    (AA) all new 
 construction and 
 reconstruction or 
 retrofit projects; and

 ``

    (BB) all 
 maintenance projects 
 and ongoing operations, 
 such as resurfacing, 
 repaving, restriping, 
 or rehabilitation; and

 ``

    (bb) proposing amendments 
 to the applicable 
 transportation improvement 
 program and statewide 
 transportation improvement 
 program to--

 ``

    (AA) ensure 
 projects on rights-of-
 way identified as 
 suitable corridors in 
 formal requests include 
 transit priority 
 measures requested by 
 transit providers; and

 ``

    (BB) prioritize 
 implementing projects 
 identified in formal 
 requests by transit 
 providers; and

 ``
            (ii) not later than 120 days before 
 carrying out a project on a suitable corridor 
 for which the owner of a public right-of-way is 
 required to produce a plan under 

section 5303 
 or 5304, such owner shall alert any transit 
 provider operating on that corridor or 
 operating in the same jurisdiction as that 
 corridor and work cooperatively with the 
 transit provider to incorporate any transit 
 priority measures requested by the transit 
 provider into the project.
 ``
        (B) Formal request.--The term `formal request' 
 means a request submitted to the owner of the public 
 right-of-way that a suitable corridor is on, with 
 copies sent to the applicable regional offices of the 
 Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway 
 Administration, indicating--
 ``
            (i) the location at which the transit 
 provider would like the right-of-way owner to 
 implement transit priority measures;
 ``
            (ii) which transit priority measures such 
 provider would like the right-of-way owner to 
 implement;
 ``
            (iii) whether or not the requested 
 transit priority measures--
 ``
            (I) would be immediately 
 implementable through projects that 
 would qualify for funding under 

section 5309; or
 ``
            (II) would set up the suitable 
 corridor for the implementation of 
 additional transit priority measures 
 that would qualify for funding under 
 

section 5309;
 ``
            (iv) the order of priority for the 
 implementation of requested transit priority 
 measures;
 ``
            (v) an explanation of how the transit 
 priority measures align with the program of 
 projects required by sections--
 ``
            (I) 5307

    (b) ;
 ``
            (II) 5310

    (b)

    (6) ; and
 ``
            (III) 5311

    (2) ;
 ``
            (vi) the benefits for transit riders that 
 they expect to see from the implementation of 
 the transit priority measures; and
 ``
            (vii) the conditions that make the 
 identified right-of-way a suitable corridor for 
 transit priority measures.
 ``
            (C) Suitable corridors.--The term `suitable 
 corridors' means--
 ``
            (i) the right-of-way and quarter-mile on 
 either end of a right-of-way where--
 ``
            (I) at least six buses are 
 scheduled to run each hour; or
 ``
            (II) there are at least 2 lanes 
 in each direction for all-purpose 
 vehicle travel; or
 ``
            (ii) any right-of-way where light rail 
 vehicles are scheduled to run at a frequency of 
 at least 6 vehicles per hour.
 ``
            (D) Transit-friendly intersections projects.--The 
 term `transit-friendly intersections projects' means 
 projects that include--
 ``
            (i) converting a stop-sign to a traffic 
 signal;
 ``
            (ii) adding a turn arrow signal, which 
 may or may not be bus-activated; and
 ``
            (iii) traffic signal priority.
 ``
        (E) Transit-friendly streets projects.--The term 
 `transit-friendly streets projects' means projects that 
 include--
 ``
            (i) the addition, improvement, or 
 widening of sidewalks;
 ``
            (ii) the conversion of on-street parking 
 spaces to designated loading zones;
 ``
            (iii) the consolidation or removal of 
 underutilized or duplicative driveways;
 ``
            (iv) the installation of transit-only 
 lanes that have restricted access for 
 nonemergency vehicles, including--
 ``
            (I) curbside transit-only lanes;
 ``
            (II) median transit-only lanes 
 with either left- or right-side door 
 boarding;
 ``
            (III) offset transit-only lanes 
 that are paired with either transit 
 stop bump outs or boarding islands to 
 ensure that parked vehicles do not 
 prevent transit riders from onboarding 
 or offboarding a transit vehicle; and
 ``
            (IV) dedicated transit-only lanes 
 on limited-access highways;
 ``
            (v) the introduction of turn restrictions 
 to prevent through-traffic by nontransit 
 vehicles; and
 ``
            (vi) the conversion of a right-of-way to 
 a transit mall, wherein transit vehicles are 
 the only vehicles allowed, with limited 
 exceptions for timed deliveries.
 ``
        (F) Transit-friendly transit stop projects.--The 
 term `transit-friendly transit stop projects' means 
 projects that include--
 ``
            (i) the installation of lighting, 
 seating, shelter, signage that tracks arrival 
 time of buses, and additional wayfinding;
 ``
            (ii) raising the height of the sidewalk 
 and curb at a bus stop to make boarding easier;
 ``
            (iii) the construction of transit stop 
 bump-outs or boarding islands; and
 ``
            (iv) the installation of bicycling 
 parking, either protected or unprotected, 
 around bus stops that are served by routes with 
 at least four buses per hour.
 ``
        (G) Transit priority measures.--The term `transit 
 priority measures' means changes to the design of a 
 public right-of-way that reallocate space away from 
 all-purpose vehicle traffic and towards transit 
 vehicles through transit-friendly transit stop 
 projects, transit-friendly streets projects, and 
 transit-friendly intersections projects in order to 
 improve the efficiency and reliability of transit 
 service.
 ``
        (H) Transit vehicles.--The term `transit 
 vehicles' means transit buses, light rail trains, and, 
 when operated on limited access highways, intercity 
 buses.''.

    (b) Metropolitan Transportation Planning.--

    (1) More options before more lanes.--

Section 134

    (h) of 
 title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
 the following:
 ``

    (4) More options before more lanes.--Before carrying out 
 a project to construct new capacity, or maintain existing 
 capacity through reconstruction, for single-occupancy passenger 
 vehicles, a metropolitan planning organization shall submit to 
 the Secretary, and make publicly available, documents that 
 demonstrate that the metropolitan planning organization has 
 completed all projects to implement transit priority measures 
 requested by transit providers under 

section 5323

    (w) . Not later 
 than 15 days after the submission of such documents, the 
 Secretary shall provide for a 180-day of public comment period 
 on the veracity of the information provided in such submission. 
 The Secretary shall approve or reject the submission not later 
 than 365 days after such submission.''.

    (2) Transit priority measures.--

Section 5303 of title 49, 
 United States Code is amended--
        (A) in subsection
            (i) (2) , by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (I) Transit priority measures.--An identification 
 of the locations in which a transit provider may 
 request the implementation of transit priority measures 
 under 

section 5323

    (w) .''; and
        (B) in subsection

    (j) --
            (i) in paragraph

    (1)
        (A) --
            (I) in clause
            (ii) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (II) in clause
            (iii) , by striking 
 the period at the end and inserting ``; 
 and''; and
            (III) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (iv) includes any projects for transit 
 priority measures, as defined in 

section 5323

    (w) , on public rights-of-way within the 
 jurisdiction of the metropolitan planning area 
 that are requested by transit providers;''; and
            (ii) in paragraph

    (3) , by adding at the end 
 the following:
 ``
        (E) Transit priority measures.--The program shall 
 include any projects requested by transit providers for 
 transit priority measures, as defined in 

section 5323

    (w) , on public rights-of-way within the 
 jurisdiction of the metropolitan planning area that are 
 requested by transit providers.''.
            (c) Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning.--

    (1) More options before more lanes.--

Section 135
            (d) of 
 title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
 the following:
 ``

    (4) More options before more lanes.--Before carrying out 
 a project to construct new capacity, or maintain existing 
 capacity through reconstruction, for single-occupancy passenger 
 vehicles, a State shall submit to the Secretary, and make 
 publicly available, documents that demonstrate that the State 
 has completed all projects to implement transit priority 
 measures requested by transit providers under 

section 5323

    (w) . 
 Not later than 15 days after the submission of such documents, 
 the Secretary shall provide for a 180-day of public comment 
 period on the veracity of the information provided in such 
 submission. The Secretary shall approve or reject the 
 submission not later than 365 days after such submission.''.

    (2) Transit priority measures.--

Section 5304 of title 49, 
 United States Code is amended--
        (A) in subsection

    (f) , by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``

    (10) Transit priority measures.--The statewide 
 transportation plan shall identify all areas on public right-
 of-way in which a transit provider may request the 
 implementation of transit priority measures under 

section 5323

    (w) .''; and
        (B) in subsection

    (g)

    (5) , by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (I) Transit priority measures.--A statewide 
 transportation improvement program shall include any 
 projects requested by transit providers for transit 
 priority measures, as defined in 

section 5323

    (w) , on 
 public rights-of-way.''.
            (d) Urbanized Area Formula Grants.--

Section 5307

    (b) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--

    (1) by redesignating paragraphs

    (6) and

    (7) as paragraphs

    (7) and

    (8) , respectively; and

    (2) by inserting after paragraph

    (5) the following:
 ``

    (6) ensure that the final program of projects uses the 
 authority granted to transit agencies under 

section 5323

    (w) to 
 improve the ridership experience for the maximum feasible 
 number of transit riders;''.

SEC. 5. STATE PURCHASING FOR BUS STOP EQUIPMENT.

    (a) State Cooperative Procurement.--A State may enter into a 
cooperative procurement contract with 1 or more vendors for transit 
equipment including bus stop shelters, signage that tracks arrival 
times of transit vehicles, and protected modular bicycle parking and 
charging infrastructure if--

    (1) each vendor agrees to provide to the State and any 
 other grantee an option to purchase transit equipment to the 
 State; and

    (2) the State acts throughout the term of the contract as 
 the lead procurement agency.

    (b) Buy America.--The requirements of 

section 5323

    (j) of title 49, 
United States Code, shall apply to all procurements carried out under a 
cooperative procurement contract described in subsection

    (a) .
            (c) Definition of Grantee.--In this section, the term ``grantee'' 
means a recipient or subrecipient of assistance under chapters 53 or 
229 of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 6. FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION STAFFING AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
 FUNDING.

 There is authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for salaries and other administrative 
expenses related to the implementation of this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act, including--

    (1) providing assistance to entities eligible for 
 assistance under this Act and the amendments made by this Act 
 pursuing bus network redesigns;

    (2) providing assistance to such entities pursuing projects 
 eligible for such assistance on environmental review, planning, 
 engineering, and design from the inception of a project through 
 the start of construction of such project;

    (3) adjudicating disputes between transit providers and 
 right-of-way holders over the implementation of transit 
 priority measures; and

    (4) producing research independently and in collaboration 
 with University Transportation Centers on international best 
 standards for transit planning, design, engineering, 
 construction, operation, and maintenance, and disseminate such 
 research to such entities and private sector industry.
 <all>