The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is applauding 44 senators, led by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), for their call to “ensure robust transportation investment,” including advance appropriations, in the FY 2027 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations bill, “or risk cutting public transportation investments to the lowest level in a decade.”
In a letter (download below) to U.S. Senate Leaders and Senate Committee on Appropriations Leaders, the lawmakers underscored that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)—including advance appropriations that are set to expire at the end of FY 2026—has funded more than 60,000 projects nationwide “and must continue to avoid sharp investment cuts.”
“APTA applauds Senator Cantwell and her colleagues for recognizing what’s at stake and calling for investment in our nation’s multimodal transportation system that builds upon current levels,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “The IIJA demonstrated what guaranteed passenger rail investment can deliver—more than 500 projects funded across 49 States, strengthening the corridors that move workers, connect communities, and support supply chains.”
Commuter and intercity passenger rail programs face steep cuts without action, APTA noted. Rail Crossing Elimination Grants would be eliminated and Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grants would be reduced by 88% despite billions of dollars in unmet demand for commuter and intercity passenger rail projects across the nation, according to the association.
APTA is calling on Congress to provide robust public transit and passenger rail investment that builds upon current investment levels (including guaranteed funding).
“Predictable, long-term Federal investment gives communities the confidence to plan, build, and deliver the projects Americans depend on,” Skoutelas added. “We’re strongly encouraged by the extraordinary leadership behind this effort and look forward to working with Congress to advance legislation that strengthens public transit and passenger rail, creates jobs, and keeps our economy moving.”
As of early 2026, APTA is recommending $138 billion for public transit and $130 billion for passenger rail over five years to succeed the IIJA, “focusing on accelerating project delivery, fostering equity, and reversing a $150+ state-of-good-repair backlog.”