Prioritizing Equity in Federal Transit Funding

A TransitCenter blog post highlights several major transit projects that could receive a boost with federal funding from the Justice40 initiative and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). “Our network of transit advocates, organizers, and riders are calling on their local transit agencies and state DOTs to advance projects designed to improve the mobility of Black and Brown riders whose opportunities have been compromised by decades of transportation planning designed to primarily benefit more affluent white communities.”

The recommended projects include the Los Angeles Regional Connector, which opened this June. “Unfortunately, the three Regional Connector stations in downtown Los Angeles project opened without the approved plans for improving walking and biking connections in place. The essential first/last mile component of the project would dramatically impact the safety of passengers who use the system, and this downgrade signaled that cars are still the priority in Los Angeles.”

Another is the proposed East/West Bank Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in New Orleans, which would give the city its first BRT line and would connect residents to more economic opportunities, jobs, and amenities.

The blog post notes, “Each of these projects shares a common thread—making urban transportation work better for current riders and Black and brown communities. However, their success hinges on the allocation of IIJA funds and the collective commitment of local and federal stakeholders.”