Sharp cuts to federal passenger rail, public transit funding arrive today

The American Public Transportation Associations estimates the stopgap bill will result in an over 80% cut to federal passenger rail investment and 20% cut to public transit investment.

1 minute read

October 1, 2026, 6:00 AM PDT

By Zachary Whalen


The United States Capitol Building at sunset, as seen from across the reflecting pool.

The American Public Transportation Association met with members of Congress on Sept. 16 to ask them to restore the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s advance appropriations. | picture 8k

Federal surface-level transportation funding from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expires today, triggering a stopgap funding bill that does not continue the IIJA’s advance appropriations, Dan Zukowski writes for Smart Cities Dive. The American Public Transportation Association estimates the stopgap bill will result in an over 80% cut to federal passenger rail investment and 20% cut to federal public transit investment.

Smart Cities Dive reports:

The absence of new surface transportation legislation or continuance of the IIJA advance appropriations represents more than a decline in funding, according to APTA. “It will immediately disrupt and delay ongoing planning, engineering, and construction of surface transportation projects across the nation and inject uncertainty into future State and local investment decisions,” APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas said in a July 31 letter to House and Senate leaders.

The APTA met with members of Congress on Sept. 16 to ask them to restore the IIJA’s advance appropriations. In a press release, the APTA said rural communities would be especially vulnerable to federal surface-level transportation funding cuts.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Smart Cities Dive

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Sharp cuts to federal passenger rail, public transit funding arrive today

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