Politics and elections significantly influence the future of public transport in each nation through policymaking, funding decisions, and the prioritisation of transportation initiatives.
The recent presidential election in the US is no exception and has left many questioning whether public transport will suffer as a result of Donald Trump’s victory.
During his term, Joe Biden, nicknamed Amtrak Joe, invested unprecedented amounts in public transport through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This five-year package included over 660 billion USD in transportation funding, with 107 billion USD for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and 103 billion USD for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This marks the most significant investment in rail since Amtrak’s creation.
With a change in leadership from the Democratic to the Republican party, there is now growing uncertainty about whether this momentum will continue.
Historical precedents, such as Trump’s suspension of federal funding for California’s High-Speed Rail Network during his previous term, justify these concerns. This decision delayed construction, increased costs, and underscored the risks of inconsistent federal support for major infrastructure projects.
Trump has also voiced intentions to eliminate climate-related programmes, which could affect sustainable transit initiatives. Crucially, it now remains to be seen whether Congressional Republicans will continue to support public transportation investments, as they did under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
With the new government’s priorities yet to fully unfold, the American Public Transport Administration (APTA) has expressed the need to work in collaboration with the Trump-Vance administration moving forward.
In an official statement, APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said:“APTA and its members stand ready to work with President-elect Trump and his team to advance transportation infrastructure investment that will create American jobs, strengthen our communities, and grow our economy. We look forward to sharing our expertise and collaborating with the new Administration to build a 21st Century public transportation system that serves all Americans.”
Arguably, the coming months will be critical in determining whether momentum from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can be sustained to modernise and expand the nation’s public transportation networks in line with current demands.
Ballot Measure Successes
Despite the concerns arising from the Presidential Election, during its post-election webinar, APTA highlighted that transit ballot measures yielded successful results across the country. Indeed, Jessica Grennan, Executive Director of APTA’s Center For Transportation Excellence emphasised that people across the US showed significant support for transit in the US election, regardless of their party affiliation and state demographics.
Grennan stated:“One of the most interesting things about transit is that no matter what state you live in — a red state, a blue state, a purple state or anywhere in between — if you're rural or urban, people support transit. Regardless of political makeup, people are supporting transit.”
Indeed, in 2024, 46 transit measures were passed, representing an 85% win rate. As Grennan stated, no other issue proved this popular.
Through these measures, voters approved over 25 billion USD in funding for transit projects. Grennan noted that this success reflects several key factors including:
- An increased focus on accessibility, green infrastructure and reconnecting communities
- A focus from elected officials on resilient infrastructure, as seen at the federal level through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
- Efforts prioritising long-term planning to improve public transit beyond temporary fixes
Notable Wins:
Statewide in Washington, Initiative 2117 failed, meaning significant parts of the Climate Commitment Act of 2021 will remain. This includes the Cap and Invest Program, which is set to provide 3 billion USD for public transportation over the next 16 years.
In Nashville, Tennessee, a half-cent sales tax increase will help fund the accelerated expansion of Nashville’s bus system. This programme will also build out dozens of miles of sidewalks and bike lanes.
In Columbus, Ohio, a 5% sales tax increase will help fund bus rapid transit lines through the LinkUS programme.
In San Francisco, California, Prop L will increase operations funding for Muni. Revenue from a new business tax on ride-hailing companies will be used to prevent Muni service cuts and improve Muni access.
Looking Ahead
Overall, the intersection of politics and public transport is both a challenge and an opportunity for shaping the future of mobility in the United States. The change in presidential leadership brings a degree of uncertainty, particularly regarding federal funding and support for sustainable transit initiatives. While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, under Joe Biden, marked an unprecedented commitment to public transportation, its momentum now depends on the priorities of the Trump-Vance administration.
However, the resounding success of transit ballot measures in the 2024 elections demonstrates that public support for transit transcends political divides. With an 85% win rate for these measures and billions allocated for projects across states, the electorate has clearly voiced its demand for accessible, sustainable, and future-ready transportation networks. This widespread backing offers a strong foundation for continued investment, even in the face of shifting federal priorities.
Comment
by Tiana May
Published
4 Dec 2024
Tags
Public Transport
United States
Politics and elections significantly influence the future of public transport in each nation through policymaking, funding decisions, and the prioritisation of transportation initiatives.
The recent presidential election in the US is no exception and has left many questioning whether public transport will suffer as a result of Donald Trump’s victory.
During his term, Joe Biden, nicknamed Amtrak Joe, invested unprecedented amounts in public transport through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This five-year package included over 660 billion USD in transportation funding, with 107 billion USD for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and 103 billion USD for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This marks the most significant investment in rail since Amtrak’s creation.
With a change in leadership from the Democratic to the Republican party, there is now growing uncertainty about whether this momentum will continue.
Historical precedents, such as Trump’s suspension of federal funding for California’s High-Speed Rail Network during his previous term, justify these concerns. This decision delayed construction, increased costs, and underscored the risks of inconsistent federal support for major infrastructure projects.
Trump has also voiced intentions to eliminate climate-related programmes, which could affect sustainable transit initiatives. Crucially, it now remains to be seen whether Congressional Republicans will continue to support public transportation investments, as they did under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
With the new government’s priorities yet to fully unfold, the American Public Transport Administration (APTA) has expressed the need to work in collaboration with the Trump-Vance administration moving forward.
“APTA and its members stand ready to work with President-elect Trump and his team to advance transportation infrastructure investment that will create American jobs, strengthen our communities, and grow our economy. We look forward to sharing our expertise and collaborating with the new Administration to build a 21st Century public transportation system that serves all Americans.”
Arguably, the coming months will be critical in determining whether momentum from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can be sustained to modernise and expand the nation’s public transportation networks in line with current demands.
Ballot Measure Successes
Despite the concerns arising from the Presidential Election, during its post-election webinar, APTA highlighted that transit ballot measures yielded successful results across the country. Indeed, Jessica Grennan, Executive Director of APTA’s Center For Transportation Excellence emphasised that people across the US showed significant support for transit in the US election, regardless of their party affiliation and state demographics.
“One of the most interesting things about transit is that no matter what state you live in — a red state, a blue state, a purple state or anywhere in between — if you're rural or urban, people support transit. Regardless of political makeup, people are supporting transit.”
Indeed, in 2024, 46 transit measures were passed, representing an 85% win rate. As Grennan stated, no other issue proved this popular.
Through these measures, voters approved over 25 billion USD in funding for transit projects. Grennan noted that this success reflects several key factors including:
Notable Wins:
Statewide in Washington, Initiative 2117 failed, meaning significant parts of the Climate Commitment Act of 2021 will remain. This includes the Cap and Invest Program, which is set to provide 3 billion USD for public transportation over the next 16 years.
In Nashville, Tennessee, a half-cent sales tax increase will help fund the accelerated expansion of Nashville’s bus system. This programme will also build out dozens of miles of sidewalks and bike lanes.
In Columbus, Ohio, a 5% sales tax increase will help fund bus rapid transit lines through the LinkUS programme.
In San Francisco, California, Prop L will increase operations funding for Muni. Revenue from a new business tax on ride-hailing companies will be used to prevent Muni service cuts and improve Muni access.
Looking Ahead
Overall, the intersection of politics and public transport is both a challenge and an opportunity for shaping the future of mobility in the United States. The change in presidential leadership brings a degree of uncertainty, particularly regarding federal funding and support for sustainable transit initiatives. While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, under Joe Biden, marked an unprecedented commitment to public transportation, its momentum now depends on the priorities of the Trump-Vance administration.
However, the resounding success of transit ballot measures in the 2024 elections demonstrates that public support for transit transcends political divides. With an 85% win rate for these measures and billions allocated for projects across states, the electorate has clearly voiced its demand for accessible, sustainable, and future-ready transportation networks. This widespread backing offers a strong foundation for continued investment, even in the face of shifting federal priorities.