The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) authorizes up to $108 billion for public transportation – the largest federal investment in public transportation in the nation’s history – through 2026.

Fact Sheets

See FTA’s IIJA fact sheets, which provide detail about new programs created by the legislation as well as how other FTA programs have changed.

Overview

Congress establishes the funding for FTA programs through authorizing legislation that amends Chapter 53 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code. The IIJA legislation reauthorizes surface transportation programs for FY 2022-2026 and provides advance appropriations for certain programs. The IIJA authorizes up to $108 billion to support federal public transportation programs, including $91 billion in guaranteed funding.

The legislation will help improve public transportation in America’s communities by advancing key priorities. 

Safety

Safety is FTA’s top priority. Following IIJA requirements, FTA published the first major update to the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) regulation to make transit safer for transit workers and passengers. The requirements apply to transit agencies with an agency safety plan in place under the PTASP regulation.

• Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan FAQs for New Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Requirements

Modernization

The IIJA's significant investment in transit is helping repair and upgrade aging transit infrastructure and modernizing bus and rail fleets.

• Rail Vehicle Replacement Program: This new program provides $1.5 billion to support transit agencies in replacing aging railcars. By modernizing this vital part of transit rail systems, the program helps reduce the nation’s state of good repair backlog, makes transit safer and opens new opportunities for people with disabilities.

• Urbanized Area Formula Grants: Increased to more than $33.5 billion to provide funding for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas, and for transportation-related planning.

• Rural Programs:

  • Rural Area Formula Grants: Increased to more than $4.58 billion to support 1,300 rural transit systems by enabling them to purchase transit vehicles and infrastructure, plan transit more effectively, and fund operations.
    • Includes increased funding for the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program and the Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Programs.
  • A new program provides $1 billion on a competitive basis for essential ferry service in rural areas, with another $1 billion authorized for Congress to make available in the future.
     
• Capital Investment Grants (CIG): Funded up to $23 billion, with $8 billion guaranteed to invest in new high-capacity transit projects that communities choose to build.
   
• State of Good Repair Grants: America's transit systems have a combined repair backlog of more than $105 billion. The legislation provides $23.1 billion over five years for grants to fund the repair and maintenance of transit systems.
  • A new competitive grant program under the State of Good Repair Grants program provides an annual $300 million for competitive rail vehicle replacement, specifically to replace rail rolling stock that is past its useful life.
     
• Public Transportation Innovation Program: FTA will continue to lead an integrated and robust program to advance innovative public transportation research and development, using $193 million for transit research activities.
   
• Technical Assistance and Workforce Development: Using $62 million, FTA will continue to provide technical assistance that enables more effective and efficient delivery of public transportation services, develops standards and best practices, and addresses public transportation workforce needs.

New Propulsion Technology

Funding in the IIJA supports replacing thousands of transit vehicles, including buses and ferries, with low- and no-emission vehicles through programs such as:

• $5.6 billion in Low- or No-Emission Bus Grants to transition to new-technology buses and purchase fueling and maintenance equipment.
• A pilot program to support the transition of passenger ferries to low- or zero-emission technologies, providing at least $250 million to electric ferries.

Accessibility

The IIJA provides funding to improve transit service and support substantial upgrades to improve rail station accessibility.

• All Station Accessibility Program: This new program provides $1.75 billion in competitive grants to state or local governments to upgrade the accessibility of legacy rail fixed guideway systems for people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs.
   
• Transportation planning: The legislation includes more support for planning activities. 
  • Provides a greater federal share for transportation planning activities for lower-density and lower-income portions of metropolitan areas and adjoining rural areas.
  • Requires the inclusion of geographic service area coverage as a reporting requirement in the National Transit Database.
  • Encourages metropolitan planning organizations to expand consideration of housing and planning for affordable housing in the transit planning process.
     
• Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities: Increases funding to $2.2 billion to help states, transit agencies, and nonprofit organizations meet the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities.