Federal transit cuts could hit rural America hardest
As Congress considers the next five years of transportation spending, proposed transit funding reductions could fall heavily on rural communities with limited service.
Federal transit cuts could disproportionately impact rural America, potentially causing significant declines in funding for public transportation. As the executive director of a nonprofit organization serving individuals with disabilities in southern Idaho, Jeremy Maxand described the region's transit system as a "bare-minimum lifeline service" that may worsen due to potential funding reductions.
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which authorized surface transportation programs, is set to expire at the end of the year. Lawmakers are working on the bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act, which would reduce funding for public transit by $16.5 billion over five years, compared to the baseline of $119.9 billion in the Jobs Act.
This would leave every state with at least $10 million less in formula funding, with rural areas receiving the most significant cuts. The cuts would primarily affect capital investment projects, such as new lines, which are crucial for smaller communities and rural areas heavily reliant on federal support. Experts and advocates argue that the cuts could exacerbate financial struggles in public transit agencies, particularly in rural areas where local governments have limited ability to raise funds.
The Urban Institute estimates that Idaho and Maine would see the largest percentage drops in federal formula transit funding, at 18 percent and 16 percent, respectively. The cuts could leave those with disabilities socially isolated and force transit agencies to rely on older, less reliable vehicles. While not as rural as Maine, Indiana would also experience a similar decline in federal funding.
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