Federal Funding Takes Aim at Public Transit

Close to $10 billion in federal funding will help local transit agencies with maintenance, operations, and equipment costs.

1 minute read

March 7, 2024, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Trolley bus in San Francisco, California.

Leonid Andronov / Adobe Stock

The Biden administration announced nearly $10 billion in new funding for public transit systems, reports Skylar Woodhouse in Bloomberg CityLab. “The investments will help people travel faster and at modest prices, according to a senior administration official, with money going toward assisting communities maintain and operate trains, buses and ferries, upgrade stations and plan for new transit corridors.”

The funds come as President Biden runs for reelection and seeks to bolster his credentials in the transportation sector. “Earlier this month, the FTA announced $631 million in grants to help transit agencies in Chicago, Baltimore and Philadelphia replace older railcars, and in a separate initiative made available $1.5 billion in funding to support state and local efforts to buy or modernize buses and bus facilities.”

Thursday, February 29, 2024 in Bloomberg CityLab

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing