The department wants to prevent cities that receive funds from the Federal Transit Administration from offering free transit fares.
A proposal from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) would bar cities receiving federal transportation funds from offering free bus service, citing safety and funding concerns.
As Chris Marquette explains in Politico, “The proposal applies to transportation agencies located in areas with populations over 200,000 and a fleet of more than 100 buses. That could affect transit systems in the Kansas City metro area; Richmond, Virginia; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, all of which currently offer free bus rides.” It would also impact New York City Mayor Mamdani’s proposal to make NYC buses free.
Cities receiving funds from the Federal Transportation Administration would be required to charge fares. The proposal would exempt major events such as the Olympics, as well as free service for groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, children, students, and veterans.
According to USDOT, “This policy would help ensure the largest federally supported systems are safer and more adequately funded by users.”
Read the full story: DOT wants to prohibit free buses. That could be a problem for Mamdani in NYC.
FTA Offers $100 Million in Transit Grants to World Cup Host Cities
Championship soccer games will be held in 11 U.S. cities this summer as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Iowa City's free bus program made ridership spike by 68%. Now, it could go away.
The bus system gained roughly 700,000 new riders since it launched free service in 2023.
Kansas City Will Start Charging Bus Fares in June — With no Plan in Place for Low-income Riders
Service providers say they haven’t been told how their clients can access free or reduced fares after the agency starts charging again this summer.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority