In this issue of Passenger Transport, a cross-section of industry executives discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in 2023 and how they plan to meet them.

Business Members Annual Meeting Jan. 24-27, Honolulu, HI (Register here)	Marketing & Communications Workshop Feb. 26-March 1, Las Vegas, NV (Register here)
Legislative Conference March 12-14, Washington, DC (Register here)	High-Speed Rail Seminar March 15, Washington, DC (Register here)
Legal Affairs Seminar April 2-4, Portland, OR	Mobility Conference April 23-26, Minneapolis, MN
Transit CEOs Seminar May 19-21, Houston, TX	Rail Conference June 11-14, Pittsburgh, PA (Express an interest in speaking)
Transit Board Members & Board Administrators Seminar July 15-18, Birmingham, AL	Sustainability/Operations Planning and Scheduling Workshop July 30-Aug. 2, Anaheim, CA
APTAtech July 30-Aug. 2, Anaheim, CA	TRANSform Conference & EXPO Oct. 8-11, Orlando, FL (Learn more)

 

Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) has been elected by the Republican Conference as chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I Committee). Rep. Graves was most recently ranking member of the committee.

 

APTA congratulates Chairman Graves and looks forward to continuing to work with him, the committee and APTA members to promote transportation investment, champion initiatives that advance public transportation and ensure that the promise of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is realized.

 

FTA has released initial updates to Capital Investment Grants (CIG) policy guidance to reflect eligibility changes made to the CIG program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) enacted November 2021.

 

In March 2022, FTA sought public comment on three initial proposed changes to FTA’s CIG Policy Guidance that was last published in 2016. These changes related to BIL changes on: Core Capacity eligibility; how FTA will determine that a CIG project sponsor has demonstrated progress on meeting Transit Asset Management State of Good Repair targets; and how applicants can request entry into the initial phase of the CIG process entitled Project Development for the newly created eligibility called bundles of CIG projects.

 

The updated version can be found here and in the docket at regulations.gov. In the future, FTA intends to propose for public comment more comprehensive updates to the CIG Policy Guidance.

 

 

FTA has announced a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to help improve public transit in areas experiencing long-term economic distress. The $20 million in competitive grant funding through FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) Program provides resources to underserved and disadvantaged communities seeking to expand or improve transit systems.

 

“At a time when transportation is the second-largest household expense for most American families, it is more important than ever to ensure that everyone has access to affordable public transit,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The new resources we are announcing will make it easier for people in our most underserved communities to access jobs, school, healthcare, and other vital services.”

 

Projects will be selected based on the evaluation criteria in the NOFO, including President’s Biden’s Executive Order on Advancing Equity Through the Federal Government. Given that many economically distressed communities also face environmental challenges, special consideration will be given to projects that mitigate air, water, and ground pollution.

 

“Transit is the great equalizer, particularly in rural areas, where having access to an affordable, reliable bus ride means people can get to their destinations, in a timely manner,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty Program ends isolation and opens doors to opportunity for those who do not have a car or cannot drive.”

 

The deadline to apply is March 10.

 

USDOT has released its Research, Development and Technology (RD&T) Strategic Plan (FY 2022-2026)–Building a Better Transportation Future for All.

 

The plan outlines a national vision to guide research priorities and improve coordination of transportation research across the U.S. and defines the role of DOT’s RD&T programs to lead the transformation of transportation systems in partnership with stakeholders.