H.R. 5230

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5230 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5230

To amend chapter 53, United States Code, to increase local bus service 
to levels needed to combat the climate crisis, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 9, 2025

Mr. Frost introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend chapter 53, United States Code, to increase local bus service 
to levels needed to combat the climate crisis, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Faster Buses 
Better Futures Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Bus network redesign grants.
Sec. 3. Transit stop shelter and station accessibility.
Sec. 4. Transit priority measures.
Sec. 5. State purchasing for bus stop equipment.
Sec. 6. Federal Transit Administration staffing and administrative 
funding.

SEC. 2. BUS NETWORK REDESIGN GRANTS.

Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 5307(c)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (K), by striking ``and'' at the 
end; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(M) plans to complete a bus network redesign by 
fiscal year 2045 and, beginning in fiscal year 2045 and 
each fiscal year thereafter, has completed a bus 
network redesign in the preceding 20-year period; 
and''; and
(2) in section 5339--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) by amending paragraph (2) to read as 
follows:
``(2) Grant considerations.--In making grants under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) consider the age and condition of buses, bus 
fleets, related equipment, and bus-related facilities; 
and
``(B) give priority to eligible recipients who have 
received a grant under subsection (e) and have 
successfully increased bus ridership as a result of the 
bus network redesign carried out with such grant.''; 
and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection 
$20,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 
2030.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Bus Network Redesign Grants.--
``(1) Grants authorized.--Not later than 720 days after the 
date of enactment of the Faster Buses Better Futures Act, the 
Secretary shall establish a program to award grants, on a 
competitive basis, to eligible entities.
``(2) Application.--To receive a grant under this 
subsection, an eligible entity shall complete an eligible bus 
network redesign and submit to the Secretary an application at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
the Secretary may require, including--
``(A) an overview of the existing bus network;
``(B) an overview of the eligible bus network 
redesign;
``(C) an analysis of the impact of the bus network 
redesign on--
``(i) service hours; and
``(ii) route miles;
``(D) an analysis demonstrating that the eligible 
bus network redesign can increase transit ridership by 
100 percent not later than 6 years after such redesign 
is implemented;
``(E) an evaluation examining any equity and 
mobility gaps in each transit system operated by the 
eligible entity or in the geographic area under the 
jurisdiction of the eligible entity, and how the 
eligible bus network redesign will significantly close 
such gaps, including--
``(i) public transit ridership rates, 
disaggregated by--
``(I) mode of transit; and
``(II) demographic group, including 
youth (including foster care youth), 
seniors, individuals with disabilities, 
and low-income individuals; and
``(ii) average length of bus routes, 
average speed of bus routes, and average delay 
times of bus routes;
``(F) an estimation of additional costs that the 
eligible entity will incur in order to implement the 
eligible bus network redesign, including--
``(i) fuel costs;
``(ii) personnel costs;
``(iii) maintenance costs; and
``(iv) other operational costs; and
``(G) a description of eligible projects that the 
eligible entity intends to carry out to implement the 
eligible bus network redesign, including--
``(i) expanding bus fleets; and
``(ii) constructing additional bus garages.
``(3) Grant uses.--A grant awarded under this section may 
only be used to--
``(A) carry out eligible projects; and
``(B) pay for the difference in operating costs 
between the existing level of fixed-route bus service 
and the level outlined in the eligible bus network 
redesign submitted pursuant to paragraph (2).
``(4) Federal share.--
``(A) Eligible projects.--The Federal share of the 
costs described in paragraph (3)(A) shall be 80 
percent.
``(B) First 3-year period.--In calculating the 
Federal share of the costs described in paragraph 
(3)(B)--
``(i) for the 3-year period beginning on 
the date on which an eligible entity receives a 
grant under this subsection, such Federal share 
shall be 100 percent; and
``(ii) for any period of a grant award that 
is during the 3-year period beginning on the 
date on which the period described in clause 
(i) ends, such Federal share shall be 33 
percent.
``(5) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection, 
the Secretary shall prioritize awarding grants to eligible 
entities that propose an eligible bus network redesign that is 
capable of increasing transit ridership by the largest 
percentage.
``(6) Conditions of grant assistance.--As a condition of 
receiving a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity 
shall--
``(A) in the case of an entity that is a recipient 
of a grant under section 5307--
``(i) report to the Federal Transit 
Administration, for inclusion in the National 
Transit Database--
``(I) the service frequency, 
vehicle revenue hours, and unlinked 
passenger trips originating and 
terminating in areas of persistent 
poverty and underserved communities;
``(II) the number of jobs and 
essential services accessible by 
transit, and improvement in such 
access, including specific reporting on 
access by transit for areas of 
persistent poverty and underserved 
communities; and
``(III) any other data the 
Secretary determines necessary and 
appropriate; and
``(ii) during the 1-year period preceding 
the date on which the entity receives such 
grant, and at least every 2 years thereafter, 
conduct a survey of transit riders and 
nonriding residents of areas of persistent 
poverty and underserved communities on transit 
service improvements, using means designed to 
maximize participation from riders and 
nonriders, and publish the survey results in an 
online format;
``(B) in the case of an entity that is Indian 
Tribe--
``(i) report to the Federal Transit 
Administration, for inclusion in the National 
Transit Database--
``(I) revenue vehicle hours and 
unlinked passenger trips; and
``(II) any other data the Secretary 
determines necessary and appropriate; 
and
``(ii) during the 1-year period preceding 
the date on which the entity receives such 
grant, and at least every 2 years thereafter, 
conduct a survey of transit riders and 
nonriding residents of the service area on 
transit service improvements, using means 
designed to maximize participation from riders 
and nonriders, and publish the survey results 
in an online format; and
``(C) in the case of an entity that is a State 
receiving a grant under section 5311--
``(i) report to the Federal Transit 
Administration, for inclusion in the National 
Transit Database--
``(I) revenue vehicle hours for 
each State, including revenue vehicle 
hours and unlinked passenger trips 
originating and terminating in areas of 
persistent poverty and underserved 
communities; and
``(II) any other data the Secretary 
determines necessary and appropriate;
``(ii) provide an annually updated report 
to the Secretary--
``(I) that identifies underserved 
communities and areas of persistent 
poverty in the nonurbanized areas of 
the State that do not have any reported 
public transit services, or in which 
either the availability or utilization 
of rural public transit is in the 
bottom quintile of all rural public 
transit services in the United States, 
using measurements identified by the 
Secretary; and
``(II) that describes progress 
toward achieving a strategy for 
establishing high-quality transit 
service in such communities and areas; 
and
``(iii) during the 1-year period preceding 
the date on which the State receives such 
grant, and at least every 2 years thereafter, 
conduct a survey of transit riders and 
nonriding residents of areas of persistent 
poverty and underserved communities within the 
State regarding transit service improvements, 
using means designed to maximize participation 
from riders and nonriders, and publishes the 
survey results in an online format.
``(7) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
be construed to prevent an eligible entity from implementing a 
redesigned bus network through the use of any other Federal or 
non-Federal funds.
``(8) Authorization of appropriations.--To carry out this 
subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated 
$250,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 
2030.
``(9) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Additional forms of collective 
transportation.--The term `additional forms of 
collective transportation' means forms of collective 
transportation that are not considered public 
transportation, including intercity passenger rail 
transportation, intercity bus service, and school bus 
service.
``(B) Area of persistent poverty.--The term `area 
of persistent poverty' means--
``(i) a county that has consistently had 
greater than or equal to 20 percent of the 
population of such county living in poverty 
during the most recent 30-year period for which 
data is available, as measured by the 1990 and 
2000 decennial censuses; or
``(ii) a census tract with a poverty rate 
of at least 20 percent as measured by the 2014 
through 2018 5-year data series available from 
the American Community Survey of the Bureau of 
the Census.
``(iii) Eligible bus network redesign.--The 
term `eligible bus network redesign' means a 
fixed route bus network redesign that--
``(I) through eligible projects, is 
expected to increase total transit 
network ridership levels by 100 percent 
more than such ridership levels as of 
April 1, 2025, by the end of the 6-year 
period beginning on the date of 
implementation of such redesign;
``(II) is informed by extensive, 
equitable outreach to affected 
communities, underserved communities, 
and areas of persistent poverty 
communities; and
``(III) does not rely on ridership 
increases from--
``(aa) microtransit;
``(bb) automated buses; and
``(cc) fare elimination.
``(iv) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible 
entity' means a recipient of funds under 
section 5307 or 5311.
``(v) Eligible project.--The term `eligible 
project' means any project, or program of 
projects, that is implemented as part of an 
eligible bus network redesign, including--
``(I) a project that reconfigures 
routes to better serve trips 
individuals are seeking to take;
``(II) a project that improves 
integration of fixed route bus service 
and--
``(aa) higher order forms 
of public transportation; and
``(bb) additional forms of 
collective transportation;
``(III) a project that consolidates 
stops on fixed route bus service;
``(IV) a project that rationalizes 
fare policies through means such as 
fare integration, fare capping, and 
fare subsidization;
``(V) a project that decreases 
headways;
``(VI) a project that expands 
service area, hours, or days;
``(VII) a project for new or 
increased frequent nonfixed guideway 
service or frequent fixed guideway 
service; and
``(VIII) associated capital 
improvements related to projects 
described in clauses (i) through (vii).
``(vi) Higher-order forms of public 
transportation.--The term `higher-order forms 
of public transportation' means bus rapid 
transit, light rail transit, heavy rail 
transit, and commuter rail.
``(vii) Overview.--The term `overview' 
means a list of routes on a bus network, a 
timetable for each route, and a map showing 
each route, with connections to higher-order 
forms of public transportation and additional 
collective transportation noted on the 
timetable and map.
``(viii) Underserved community.--The term 
`underserved community' means--
``(I) a census tract or block 
numbering area in which the median 
income does not exceed 80 percent of 
the area median income;
``(II) families with income not 
greater than 100 percent of the area 
median income that reside in minority 
census tracts;
``(III) families with income not 
greater than 100 percent of the area 
median income that reside in areas 
affected by disasters, as determined by 
the Administrator of the Federal 
Transit Administration;
``(IV) a census tract that has a 
minority population of at least 30 
percent or a median income of less than 
100 percent of the area median income;
``(V) a community that has low 
access to jobs and essential services, 
as determined by the Secretary; or
``(VI) a census block or group of 
geographically contiguous census blocks 
in which the population of any racial 
or ethnic minority individuals, 
individually or in combination, 
comprises 30 percent or more of the 
population of persons in the census 
block or group of geographically 
contiguous census blocks.''.

SEC. 3. TRANSIT STOP SHELTER AND STATION ACCESSIBILITY.

Section 5337 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
``(g) Bus Stop Shelter Reimbursement Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall reimburse an 
eligible entity for installing bus stop shelters if such entity 
followed the formal process established under paragraph (3) for 
the installation of each such shelter.
``(2) Reimbursement amount.--The Secretary shall annually 
determine the amount for which an eligible entity shall be 
reimbursed for each bus stop shelter that such entity verifies 
has been successfully installed, including any additional 
amounts necessary for bus stop shelters to meet different 
weather standards. The Secretary shall set such amount at a 
level that--
``(A) maintains purchasing power for the eligible 
entity relying on such amount;
``(B) ensures that such amount is sufficient to 
discourage inflation; and
``(C) incentivizes eligible entities to use 
products covered by a Federal purchasing schedule 
authorized under section 5 of the Faster Buses Better 
Futures Act.
``(3) Establishment of formal process.--The Secretary shall 
establish a formal process for the instillation of bus stop 
shelters to be reimbursable under this subsection that 
includes--
``(A) an annual notice of funding opportunity that 
requires an eligible entity seeking reimbursement to--
``(i) submit to the Secretary a bus shelter 
plan;
``(ii) each year after the submission of a 
plan under clause (i), submit to the Secretary 
a report containing--
``(I) the progress the eligible 
entity has made in implementing the bus 
shelter plan with both Federal and non-
Federal funds; and
``(II) the total cost of the bus 
stop shelters installed by such entity;
``(iii) indicate the quantity and location 
of proposed bus stop shelters;
``(iv) ensure that each proposed bus stop 
shelter meets weather standards; and
``(v) indicate how the proposed bus stop 
shelter installations will be coordinated with 
any other capital projects taking place at bus 
stops with such proposed installations, 
including--
``(I) projects funded under section 
5309;
``(II) transit priority measures 
authorized under section 5323(w); and
``(III) projects funded under 
subsection (h); and
``(B) a period between 270 and 365 days after the 
Notice of Funding Opportunity opens in which the 
eligible entity provides to the Secretary--
``(i) the number and location of the bus 
stop shelters proposed in the bus shelter plan 
that have been installed; and
``(ii) verification, in a form determined 
by the Secretary, that the bus stop shelters 
identified in clause (i)--
``(I) were constructed; and
``(II) meet weather standards.
``(4) Grant requirements.--Except as otherwise provided in 
this subsection, amounts provided under this subsection shall 
be subject to the requirements of section 5307 of title 49, 
United States Code.
``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(B) Bus shelter plan.--The term `bus shelter 
plan' means a plan prepared by an eligible entity 
that--
``(i) identifies which bus stops under the 
jurisdiction of the entity that do not either 
shelter, seating, or both;
``(ii) the order of priority for installing 
bus stop shelters at stops identified in clause 
(i); and
``(iii) how the order of priority listed in 
clause (ii) addresses equity of service to all 
riders regardless of whether the riders are 
low-income, seniors, or members of a community 
of color.
``(C) Bus stop shelter.--The term `bus stop 
shelter' means a structure installed at a stop on a 
fixed-route bus service that--
``(i) meets weather standards;
``(ii) provides seating; and
``(iii) has signage that tracks arrival 
time of transit vehicles.
``(D) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' 
means a recipient or subrecipient of assistance under 
section 5307 or 5311.
``(E) Weather standards.--The term `weather 
standards' means guidelines, as determined by the 
Secretary, outlining what protection a bus stop shelter 
provides individuals based on weather conditions, 
including--
``(i) levels of rain, snow, and other types 
of precipitation;
``(ii) heat and sunshine; and
``(iii) extreme cold.
``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
through 2030 to provide grants under this subsection.
``(h) All Stations Accessibility Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants under this 
subsection to assist eligible entities in financing capital 
projects to upgrade accessibility for individuals with 
disabilities by increasing the number of covered stations that 
meet the construction standards of title II of the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.).
``(2) Eligible costs.--A grant awarded under this section 
shall be used by an eligible entity for the purpose described 
in paragraph (1) only--
``(A) for a project to repair, improve, or relocate 
station infrastructure at a covered station;
``(B) to develop or modify a plan for pursuing 
public transportation accessibility projects; or
``(C) to carry out other projects at covered 
stations that meet the construction standards of title 
II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 12131 et seq.).
``(3) Eligible facilities.--The Secretary--
``(A) may not provide a grant under this subsection 
to upgrade a station that is accessible to, and usable 
by, individuals with disabilities consistent with 
construction standards under title II the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.); 
and
``(B) may provide a grant to upgrade a station that 
is not accessible and usable as described in paragraph 
(1), even if related services, programs, or activities, 
if viewed in entirety, are readily accessible and 
usable as so described.
``(4) Application.--To apply for a grant under this 
subsection, an applicant shall provide to the Secretary such 
information as the Secretary may require, including information 
on--
``(A) the extent to which the proposed project will 
increase the accessibility of a covered system;
``(B) projected improvements in access to jobs, 
community activities, and essential destinations 
provided by such project;
``(C) the applicant's plans to--
``(i) enhance the customer experience and 
maximize accessibility of stations, and the 
transit options such stations serve, for 
individuals with disabilities;
``(ii) improve the operations of, provide 
efficiencies of service to, and enhance the 
public transportation system for individuals 
with disabilities; and
``(iii) address equity of service to all 
riders regardless of whether the riders are 
low-income, seniors, or members of a community 
of color; and
``(D) coordination between the applicant and 
disability advocacy entities.
``(5) Federal share.--The Federal share of the total 
project cost of a grant provided under this subsection shall be 
90 percent. The recipient may provide additional local matching 
amounts.
``(6) Grant requirements.--Except as otherwise provided 
under this subsection, a grant provided under this subsection 
shall be subject to the requirements of section 5307.
``(7) Grant solicitation.--The Secretary may provide funds 
authorized under this subsection through 1 or more notices of 
funding opportunity.
``(8) Funding .--
``(A) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to provide grants 
under this subsection.
``(B) Availability of amounts.--Amounts made 
available under this subsection shall be available for 
a period of 4 fiscal years after the fiscal year in 
which the amount is made available.
``(9) Definitions.--In this section:
``(A) Covered station.--The term `covered station' 
means a bus station, a multimodal transfer station, or 
a rail fixed guideway public transportation station for 
passenger use constructed prior to the date of 
enactment of the Faster Buses Better Futures Act.
``(B) Disability.--The term `disability' has the 
meaning given such term in section 3 of the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
``(C) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' 
means--
``(i) a recipient or subrecipient of 
assistance under section 5307 or 5311; or
``(ii) a State or local government that 
operates a rail fixed guideway public 
transportation system that was in operation 
before July 26, 1990.''.

SEC. 4. TRANSIT PRIORITY MEASURES.

(a) In General.--Section 5323 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(w) Prioritizing Transit Vehicles.--
``(1) In general.--The owners of public rights-of-way shall 
cooperate to the maximum extent feasible with transit providers 
to ensure that transit vehicles that run at grade are able to 
complete routes in as reliable and frequent a manner as 
possible.
``(2) By-right transit priority measures.--A transit 
provider may request that the owner of a public right-of-way 
implement transit priority measures on suitable corridors and 
the owner of said public right-of-way shall carry out specified 
collaboration with the transit provider to complete such 
request to the satisfaction of the transit provider.
``(3) Consultation of federal transit administration.--If a 
transit provider determines that a request for transit priority 
measures has not been adequately incorporated into a project on 
a suitable corridor or the owner of a public right-of-way 
believes that a transit provider is making unreasonable 
requests, the transit provider or the public right-of-way owner 
may request that the regional office of the Federal Transit 
Administration make a determination on the matter. Such 
regional office shall defer to the transit provider unless the 
owner of the public right-of-way can provide evidence--
``(A) that allocating funding to implement 
requested transit priority measures would threaten the 
state of good repair of the overall public 
transportation system, even if funds from all projects 
to construct new capacity, or maintain existing 
capacity through reconstruction, for single-occupancy 
passenger vehicles were reallocated to either--
``(i) implementing requested transit 
priority measures; or
``(ii) maintaining the state of good repair 
of the overall transportation system; or
``(B) that--
``(i) the benefits a transit provider 
expects to see from the implementation of 
requested transit priority measures are 
factually incorrect as based on--
``(I) transportation demand 
modeling; and
``(II) real-world examples of 
similar projects in the United States 
and other countries; and
``(ii) the corridor where transit priority 
measures have been requested is not actually a 
suitable corridor.
``(4) Prevention of compliance-avoiding service 
alterations.--A transit provider may not alter the frequency of 
service on fixed-route transit service with the purpose of 
ensuring a public right-of-way does not meet the requirements 
of a suitable corridor.
``(5) Penalties for non-compliance.--If a regional office 
of the Federal Transit Administration finds by a preponderance 
of the evidence that a public right-of-way owner is not 
complying with paragraph (2) or a transit provider is in 
violation of paragraph (4), the Secretary shall not award any 
discretionary grants to that public right-of-way owner for the 
following year.
``(6) In-kind match.--Of the non-Federal share required for 
any projects that complete transit priority measures requested 
through this subsection, 25 percent may be derived from amounts 
expended for associated capital improvements related to a 
project or program that implements transit priority measures.
``(7) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Specified collaboration.--The term `specified 
collaboration' means--
``(i) the owner of a public right-of-way 
about which a transit provider has made a 
formal request shall--
``(I) respond not later than 180 
days after the date on which such owner 
submits such request with--
``(aa) the expected cost of 
implementing the requested 
transit priority measures;
``(bb) an identification of 
any funding sources such owner 
expects to use to construct the 
requested transit priority 
measures; and
``(cc) any timelines for 
completion of the construction 
of such measure, depending on 
any variations in 
circumstances, taking into 
consideration--

``(AA) how existing 
funds from chapter 53 
of title 49 and chapter 
1 of title 23 are 
spent; and

``(BB) how long it 
may take to access 
additional needed 
funding; and

``(II) work with transit providers 
to create the maximum feasible impact 
of implementing transit priority 
measures in the most expeditious manner 
possible by--
``(aa) adding transit 
priority measures to all 
projects scheduled to begin 
construction not later than 365 
days of the date of enactment 
of this subsection, including--

``(AA) all new 
construction and 
reconstruction or 
retrofit projects; and

``(BB) all 
maintenance projects 
and ongoing operations, 
such as resurfacing, 
repaving, restriping, 
or rehabilitation; and

``(bb) proposing amendments 
to the applicable 
transportation improvement 
program and statewide 
transportation improvement 
program to--

``(AA) ensure 
projects on rights-of-
way identified as 
suitable corridors in 
formal requests include 
transit priority 
measures requested by 
transit providers; and

``(BB) prioritize 
implementing projects 
identified in formal 
requests by transit 
providers; and

``(ii) not later than 120 days before 
carrying out a project on a suitable corridor 
for which the owner of a public right-of-way is 
required to produce a plan under section 5303 
or 5304, such owner shall alert any transit 
provider operating on that corridor or 
operating in the same jurisdiction as that 
corridor and work cooperatively with the 
transit provider to incorporate any transit 
priority measures requested by the transit 
provider into the project.
``(B) Formal request.--The term `formal request' 
means a request submitted to the owner of the public 
right-of-way that a suitable corridor is on, with 
copies sent to the applicable regional offices of the 
Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway 
Administration, indicating--
``(i) the location at which the transit 
provider would like the right-of-way owner to 
implement transit priority measures;
``(ii) which transit priority measures such 
provider would like the right-of-way owner to 
implement;
``(iii) whether or not the requested 
transit priority measures--
``(I) would be immediately 
implementable through projects that 
would qualify for funding under section 
5309; or
``(II) would set up the suitable 
corridor for the implementation of 
additional transit priority measures 
that would qualify for funding under 
section 5309;
``(iv) the order of priority for the 
implementation of requested transit priority 
measures;
``(v) an explanation of how the transit 
priority measures align with the program of 
projects required by sections--
``(I) 5307(b);
``(II) 5310(b)(6); and
``(III) 5311(2);
``(vi) the benefits for transit riders that 
they expect to see from the implementation of 
the transit priority measures; and
``(vii) the conditions that make the 
identified right-of-way a suitable corridor for 
transit priority measures.
``(C) Suitable corridors.--The term `suitable 
corridors' means--
``(i) the right-of-way and quarter-mile on 
either end of a right-of-way where--
``(I) at least six buses are 
scheduled to run each hour; or
``(II) there are at least 2 lanes 
in each direction for all-purpose 
vehicle travel; or
``(ii) any right-of-way where light rail 
vehicles are scheduled to run at a frequency of 
at least 6 vehicles per hour.
``(D) Transit-friendly intersections projects.--The 
term `transit-friendly intersections projects' means 
projects that include--
``(i) converting a stop-sign to a traffic 
signal;
``(ii) adding a turn arrow signal, which 
may or may not be bus-activated; and
``(iii) traffic signal priority.
``(E) Transit-friendly streets projects.--The term 
`transit-friendly streets projects' means projects that 
include--
``(i) the addition, improvement, or 
widening of sidewalks;
``(ii) the conversion of on-street parking 
spaces to designated loading zones;
``(iii) the consolidation or removal of 
underutilized or duplicative driveways;
``(iv) the installation of transit-only 
lanes that have restricted access for 
nonemergency vehicles, including--
``(I) curbside transit-only lanes;
``(II) median transit-only lanes 
with either left- or right-side door 
boarding;
``(III) offset transit-only lanes 
that are paired with either transit 
stop bump outs or boarding islands to 
ensure that parked vehicles do not 
prevent transit riders from onboarding 
or offboarding a transit vehicle; and
``(IV) dedicated transit-only lanes 
on limited-access highways;
``(v) the introduction of turn restrictions 
to prevent through-traffic by nontransit 
vehicles; and
``(vi) the conversion of a right-of-way to 
a transit mall, wherein transit vehicles are 
the only vehicles allowed, with limited 
exceptions for timed deliveries.
``(F) Transit-friendly transit stop projects.--The 
term `transit-friendly transit stop projects' means 
projects that include--
``(i) the installation of lighting, 
seating, shelter, signage that tracks arrival 
time of buses, and additional wayfinding;
``(ii) raising the height of the sidewalk 
and curb at a bus stop to make boarding easier;
``(iii) the construction of transit stop 
bump-outs or boarding islands; and
``(iv) the installation of bicycling 
parking, either protected or unprotected, 
around bus stops that are served by routes with 
at least four buses per hour.
``(G) Transit priority measures.--The term `transit 
priority measures' means changes to the design of a 
public right-of-way that reallocate space away from 
all-purpose vehicle traffic and towards transit 
vehicles through transit-friendly transit stop 
projects, transit-friendly streets projects, and 
transit-friendly intersections projects in order to 
improve the efficiency and reliability of transit 
service.
``(H) Transit vehicles.--The term `transit 
vehicles' means transit buses, light rail trains, and, 
when operated on limited access highways, intercity 
buses.''.
(b) Metropolitan Transportation Planning.--
(1) More options before more lanes.--Section 134(h) of 
title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
``(4) More options before more lanes.--Before carrying out 
a project to construct new capacity, or maintain existing 
capacity through reconstruction, for single-occupancy passenger 
vehicles, a metropolitan planning organization shall submit to 
the Secretary, and make publicly available, documents that 
demonstrate that the metropolitan planning organization has 
completed all projects to implement transit priority measures 
requested by transit providers under section 5323(w). Not later 
than 15 days after the submission of such documents, the 
Secretary shall provide for a 180-day of public comment period 
on the veracity of the information provided in such submission. 
The Secretary shall approve or reject the submission not later 
than 365 days after such submission.''.
(2) Transit priority measures.--Section 5303 of title 49, 
United States Code is amended--
(A) in subsection (i)(2), by adding at the end the 
following:
``(I) Transit priority measures.--An identification 
of the locations in which a transit provider may 
request the implementation of transit priority measures 
under section 5323(w).''; and
(B) in subsection (j)--
(i) in paragraph (1)(A)--
(I) in clause (ii), by striking 
``and'' at the end;
(II) in clause (iii), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting ``; 
and''; and
(III) by adding at the end the 
following:
``(iv) includes any projects for transit 
priority measures, as defined in section 
5323(w), on public rights-of-way within the 
jurisdiction of the metropolitan planning area 
that are requested by transit providers;''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end 
the following:
``(E) Transit priority measures.--The program shall 
include any projects requested by transit providers for 
transit priority measures, as defined in section 
5323(w), on public rights-of-way within the 
jurisdiction of the metropolitan planning area that are 
requested by transit providers.''.
(c) Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning.--
(1) More options before more lanes.--Section 135(d) of 
title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
``(4) More options before more lanes.--Before carrying out 
a project to construct new capacity, or maintain existing 
capacity through reconstruction, for single-occupancy passenger 
vehicles, a State shall submit to the Secretary, and make 
publicly available, documents that demonstrate that the State 
has completed all projects to implement transit priority 
measures requested by transit providers under section 5323(w). 
Not later than 15 days after the submission of such documents, 
the Secretary shall provide for a 180-day of public comment 
period on the veracity of the information provided in such 
submission. The Secretary shall approve or reject the 
submission not later than 365 days after such submission.''.
(2) Transit priority measures.--Section 5304 of title 49, 
United States Code is amended--
(A) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the 
following:
``(10) Transit priority measures.--The statewide 
transportation plan shall identify all areas on public right-
of-way in which a transit provider may request the 
implementation of transit priority measures under section 
5323(w).''; and
(B) in subsection (g)(5), by adding at the end the 
following:
``(I) Transit priority measures.--A statewide 
transportation improvement program shall include any 
projects requested by transit providers for transit 
priority measures, as defined in section 5323(w), on 
public rights-of-way.''.
(d) Urbanized Area Formula Grants.--Section 5307(b) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs 
(7) and (8), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
``(6) ensure that the final program of projects uses the 
authority granted to transit agencies under section 5323(w) to 
improve the ridership experience for the maximum feasible 
number of transit riders;''.

SEC. 5. STATE PURCHASING FOR BUS STOP EQUIPMENT.

(a) State Cooperative Procurement.--A State may enter into a 
cooperative procurement contract with 1 or more vendors for transit 
equipment including bus stop shelters, signage that tracks arrival 
times of transit vehicles, and protected modular bicycle parking and 
charging infrastructure if--
(1) each vendor agrees to provide to the State and any 
other grantee an option to purchase transit equipment to the 
State; and
(2) the State acts throughout the term of the contract as 
the lead procurement agency.
(b) Buy America.--The requirements of section 5323(j) of title 49, 
United States Code, shall apply to all procurements carried out under a 
cooperative procurement contract described in subsection (a).
(c) Definition of Grantee.--In this section, the term ``grantee'' 
means a recipient or subrecipient of assistance under chapters 53 or 
229 of title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 6. FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION STAFFING AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
FUNDING.

There is authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for salaries and other administrative 
expenses related to the implementation of this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act, including--
(1) providing assistance to entities eligible for 
assistance under this Act and the amendments made by this Act 
pursuing bus network redesigns;
(2) providing assistance to such entities pursuing projects 
eligible for such assistance on environmental review, planning, 
engineering, and design from the inception of a project through 
the start of construction of such project;
(3) adjudicating disputes between transit providers and 
right-of-way holders over the implementation of transit 
priority measures; and
(4) producing research independently and in collaboration 
with University Transportation Centers on international best 
standards for transit planning, design, engineering, 
construction, operation, and maintenance, and disseminate such 
research to such entities and private sector industry.
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