Bill > HR2848

This bill, titled the "Freedom to Move Act," aims to support state, county, and local municipalities in providing fare-free public transportation and improving access to safe, accessible, and reliable mass transit systems. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Establishing a grant program called "Freedom to Move Grants" to cover the lost fare revenue for fare-free public transportation and improve public transportation, particularly in underserved communities. 2. Requiring grant recipients to provide detailed information in their applications, such as plans for implementing fare-free transit, expanding and improving bus service, partnering with community stakeholders, and evaluating transit equity gaps. 3. Authorizing the Secretary of Transportation to award grants to eligible entities, including states, counties, local municipalities, transit agencies, and private nonprofit organizations, for a 5-year period. 4. Allowing grant funds to be used for implementing fare-free transit programs, improving bus stop safety and accessibility, and covering operational costs associated with increased ridership. 5. Requiring the Secretary to collect data and report on the progress of grant recipients in meeting their targets, particularly in terms of closing transit equity gaps. 6. Authorizing $5 billion in funding for each fiscal year from 2024 to 2028 to carry out the grant program.