Representative Maxwell Frost (D-FL) has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing the production cost of new buses as demand for public transit increases.
Specifically, Rep. Frost's Transit Bus Affordability Act requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to launch a study on the drivers of bus production costs and then recommend strategies for reducing them.
As his press release explained, building a new bus costs $800,000 on average, despite growing numbers of Americans taking the bus to school, work, and other destinations.
In 2024 alone, the United States experienced 7.7 billion rides on public transportation, representing a 25% increase from 2022 and a nearly half-billion increase since 2023.
"Public transit is a lifeline for folks who depend on these services to get to work, school, doctor appointments, and more," Rep. Frost said in his press release, adding, "But the rising cost for a city or town to purchase a single bus is holding back local transit agencies from meeting demand and expanding service. This bill is a first step toward understanding the root of the problem and driving down costs so that communities can invest in more reliable, affordable transit options."
Representative Mike Turner (R-OH), the bill's cosponsor, said, "As the former Mayor of Dayton, I understand the burden procurement costs place on local transit agencies, which subsequently impact the availability and reliability for riders."
"That is why I am proud to work with Rep. Frost on the Transit Bus Affordability Act," Rep. Turner added. "Our bipartisan legislation will help inform lawmakers on the federal, state, and local levels on options to lower bus costs, which will ultimately lead to savings-generating strategies for transit agencies providing essential services to riders in communities like Dayton and those across the country."
Last May, the Florida Congressman announced a $5.8 million grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to the Lynx Central Station in Orlando, which he said "will play a huge role in making sure the buses continue to run on time and the safety and longevity of our transportation system is protected."
