APTA: Federal transit-rail investment would boost economy

The American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) recommendations for the next surface transportation reauthorization legislation would generate $5 billion in long-term economic value for each $1 billion spent, according to a report by EBP released this week by APTA.

APTA in February issued its recommendations for the next multiyear federal surface transportation legislation. The new legislation will replace the current Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which will expire Sept. 30. 

APTA is calling for Congress and the Trump administration to invest $138 billion in public transit and $130 billion in passenger rail over the next five years, APTA officials said in a press release.

APTA also recommends eliminating statutory and regulatory barriers to building transit infrastructure, which would speed up project delivery, APTA officials said. Strong federal investment would also enable transit agencies to address the more than $150 billion state-of-good-repair backlog nationwide, they added.

The EBP report found that APTA's recommended investment would deliver "strong taxpayer returns" through job creation, increased tax revenue, improved access to jobs and health care, reduced road congestion and lower household transportation costs, APTA officials said. The recommendations would create $140 billion in annual economic impact, according to the report.

The report estimates the investment would create or sustain 41,400 jobs across construction, manufacturing, operations and supplier industries; and would generate $251 million in federal, state and local tax revenue over the five years, APTA officials said.

"These results are not accidental. They are the direct outcome of Federal leadership and investment," said Paul Skoutelas, president and CEO of APTA. "When the federal government invests in public transportation, communities see real improvements, such as expanded service, modern vehicles, good-paying jobs, and stronger local economies."