Mass Transit

In making crucial policy and funding decisions on the future role of public transit, Congress needs the best information available about how states and localities intend to use transit to increase mobility, reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and spur economic development. Congress has received four projections of overall transit needs since 1988. Two estimates came from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) while two nonprofit associations representing state transportation and transit interests each prepared one projection. These projections varied widely--from $3 billion to $32 billion per year--because each used different cost elements and made different assumptions in calculating costs. Several factors, including legislation such as the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the Energy Policy Act of 1992, could cause future transit needs to exceed all of the needs projections. FTA needs to make several short- and long-term changes to improve its transit needs projections. New planning requirements for state and local transit plans could become the basis for a nationwide estimate of transit needs. Although these data are not now being collected, the Department of Transportation has an opportunity to facilitate future data availability.