The U.S. Department of Transportation is infusing the nation's bus manufacturing sector with a hefty $1.5 billion in competitive grant funding. This initiative, led by Secretary Sean P. Duffy, is designed to kickstart a wave of job creation and infrastructural development across America's transit system. As detailed in the announcement sourced from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will aid in the construction and refurbishment of bus-related facilities, while also enhancing the commuter experience for American families.
Secretary Duffy's approach marks a sharp turn from previous policies, as he has removed DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) prerequisites that his administration terms as remnants of a "disastrous" period under President Biden. "American commuters don’t want to pay for deranged, leftist DEI mandates that don’t improve the efficiency of their daily commutes," Duffy stated, emphasizing the prioritization of dependable, swift transit options for the workforce. This shift redirects focus entirely towards developing "big, beautiful transit systems," a phrase reiterated in the announcement, geared specifically towards safety and efficiency without the previously mandated socio-environmental considerations, per the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Critics of the move decry the elimination of DEI standards, which had encompassed elements such as climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice, as a backward step in addressing the underlying socio-economic disparities in access to transportation. However, Secretary Duffy insists that the refocusing of these funds will better serve American families balancing the demands of work, healthcare, and other critical life functions.
The FTA's grants, divided into two main programs, will distribute approximately $400 million towards the Buses and Bus Facilities Program and about $1.1 billion to the Low or No Emission Program. While these programs have been announced together, each comes with its unique set of criteria and budgetary allowances. In response to the funding notice, transit agencies are now required to describe how their proposed projects will improve transport accessibility, particularly for families with young children, though the precise metrics for such improvements remain under the purview of the FTA.
