RTA Welcomes Passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act)

December 4, 2015

This five-year package, which includes $61 billion for public transportation, makes critical long-term investments in the nation’s transit networks and provides the certainty needed for transit leaders to bring fleets and infrastructure into a State of Good Repair. The FAST Act passed both houses of Congress in a bipartisan vote.

“The passage of this landmark legislation marks the end of years of uncertainty due to stopgap federal funding measures,” said Leanne P. Redden, Executive Director of the RTA.  “With this investment in the future of America’s transportation networks, the CTA, Metra and Pace now have some certainty in federal funding as they move forward in plans to maintain and enhance our regional public transportation system. We would like to thank our regional delegation in Washington, D.C. for their leadership in advancing this important bill.”

As the only agency charged with regional oversight of public transportation, and the founder and member of Get America to Work, the RTA has long played a leading role in urging Congress to address the nation’s transportation needs with a fully-funded, multi-year bill that enhances federal funding for public transit.  The RTA applauds Congress for taking this action and will continue to work with national leaders to ensure a continued focus on the needs of the RTA region’s commuters.