Federal Funding Could Vastly Improve Transit Services

With a $17 billion federal investment, every city's public transit could look like Chicago's.

1 minute read

December 31, 2020, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


My First Ride

Alan Levine / Flickr

With public transportation taking a beating during the pandemic, transit advocates hope that the incoming Biden administration will approve federal funding to support floundering systems and improve service across the country. New research from the Urban Institute shows that an annual investment of $17 billion into public transit systems in urban areas with over 100,000 would make most cities' transit systems comparable to that of Chicago—a standard cited by President-elect Biden in his transition plan.

In addition to providing a vital lifeline for the millions of Americans who don't own cars, transit funding has a high return on investment, writes Skip Descant. According to the report, spending 35% more on transit expenditures would yield around 131% increase in service and prop up the ailing bus systems that many essential workers depend on daily and that have experienced steep cuts during 2020. Experts fear that pandemic-induced service cuts will become permanent, causing long-term damage to the economies of entire regions.

Although public transit is often seen as a local issue, the Urban Institute's Yonah Freemark argues that Congress should treat it as a nationwide concern. While federal funds often go to major projects such as new rail lines and bridges, funneling some of this money to operational costs would help maintain and improve existing systems and temper the effects of this year's plummeting revenues.

Thursday, December 17, 2020 in GOVTECH.COM

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Adult holding hands of two children, all wearing winter coats, in crosswalk in New York City during holidays with trees decorated with lights in background.

Pedestrian Deaths Drop, Remain Twice as High as in 2009

Fatalities declined by 4 percent in 2024, but the U.S. is still nowhere close to ‘Vision Zero.’

1 hour ago - Streetsblog USA

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine