U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Mike Rounds, Tammy Baldwin Introduce Investments in Rural Transit Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today,U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)introduced theInvestments in Rural Transit Act, a bipartisan bill to help rural transit providers improve their services. Rural transit operators provide essential lifeline services to millions of Americans, getting them to work, school, grocery stores, medical appointments, and more.
TheInvestments in Rural Transit Actwould address key issues facing rural transit providers, including rising operating costs, complicated red tape, and difficulty procuring new vehicles.  It would also support Tribal transit providers, who serve some of the most geographically isolated communities in the country.
“High-quality, efficient public transit systems are important for Minnesotans who rely on them every day to get to the office, school, the doctor, and to make their lives work,”said Senator Smith.“This bipartisan legislation would support reliable public transit in rural communities where it’s a lifeline.”
“For rural South Dakotans who do not own a vehicle, transit services are a lifeline to reach their jobs, medical appointments, grocery stores and other necessities,”said Rounds.“This legislation aims to support the operators who provide these essential services, so that they may continue to get our rural residents where they need to go.”
“Whether you are in a big city or a rural part of our state, every Wisconsinite should have access to good public transit. Unfortunately, that is just not the case in too many places and limited transit options are a significant barrier for folks trying to get to work, the store, or the doctor,”said Senator Baldwin.“Our bipartisan legislation will invest in rural communities so workers and families are better connected to what they need.”
“This bill addresses the key issues facing many rural transit systems today — local match challenges, regulatory reform, and procurement solutions,”said Scott Bogren, Executive Director of the Community Transportation Association of America.“The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and its more than 1,300 members around the country fully support theInvestments in Rural Transit Act.”
Specifically, theInvestments in Rural Transit Actwould:
A one-pager on the bill can be foundhere. Read the full text of the billhere.
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