WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) and Representative James Gallagher (CA-01) introduced the Improving Rural Transportation Act. This bipartisan bill will create a federal grant program to fund rural transportation infrastructure and help communities deploy ride-share and micro-transit programs with a focus on public-private partnerships.
“In Upstate New York, getting to the doctor, the grocery store, or the post office can mean driving 20 or 30 miles. If you don’t have a car or can’t drive, that becomes a real problem real fast,” said Riley. “Small towns should have the tools to come up with solutions that work for them. This bill gives rural communities more options, brings local leaders and businesses to the table, and helps make sure folks can get where they need to go.”
“Rural communities deserve transportation options that actually work for them, not one-size-fits-all solutions designed for big cities. The Improving Rural Transportation Act gives smaller communities more flexibility to develop transportation services that fit their needs while bringing the private sector to the table. I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort with Congressman Riley and give rural America a better shot at the transportation investments it deserves,” said Gallagher.
The Improving Rural Transportation Act would:
- Create a Department of Transportation grant program for communities with populations under 200,000.
- Help fund rideshare, microtransit, flexible-route, and other transportation programs.
- Give priority to projects that bring together local governments, private-sector partners, and nonprofit organizations.
- Require state or local partners to cover at least 20 percent of project costs.
The legislation is endorsed by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE).
“The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is proud to endorse the bipartisan ‘Improving Rural Transportation Act.’ This proposed legislation represents a critical opportunity to invest in advanced transportation technologies outside of urban centers, positioning rural communities at the forefront of American technological innovation in the transportation sector. CTE’s work supporting rural fleets across the country as they plan for and deploy advanced transportation technologies has reinforced the importance of improving transportation access and quality in rural communities. We applaud Representatives Riley and Gallagher for advancing legislation that responds to the needs of their constituents while encouraging continued innovation in the transportation sector,” said CTE Executive Director Dan Raudebaugh.
You can read the text of the Improving Rural Transportation Act HERE.
###
