Bill > S2478

This bill establishes a federal grant program called the "Freedom to Move Grants" designed to support local and state efforts to provide fare-free public transportation. The Secretary of Transportation would award competitive grants to eligible entities, including state and local governments, transit agencies, and nonprofit organizations, to cover lost fare revenue and improve public transit systems. Grant applicants must provide detailed plans for implementing fare-free transit, including how they will expand and improve bus services, prioritize underserved and low-income communities, and consult with local stakeholders. The bill requires grantees to conduct equity evaluations of their transit systems, examining commute times, ridership rates, and demographic disparities. Grants would be awarded for a 5-year period, with $5 billion authorized annually from 2026 to 2030, and would support efforts like bus stop improvements, pedestrian shelters, signal priority systems, and operational costs. Recipients must also report on their progress in addressing transit equity gaps, with data collected and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex, and household income. The bill aims to make public transportation more accessible, affordable, and equitable across rural and urban areas.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2478/all-info