The Faster Buses Better Futures Act is a major federal investment in improving public bus service across the United States, with a focus on fighting climate change and serving communities that have been left behind by transit systems. The bill provides $250 billion in grants from 2026 through 2030 for cities and transit agencies to completely redesign their bus networks—essentially reimagining which routes exist, how often buses run, and where they go.

To qualify for these grants, transit agencies must create bus network redesigns that will double ridership within six years of implementation. The bill requires these redesigns to specifically address equity by improving service in low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and areas with persistent poverty. Transit agencies must show how their plans will help people access jobs, schools, and essential services. The federal government will cover 80% of the costs to buy new buses and build facilities, and for the first three years after a redesign launches, will cover 100% of the extra operating costs—meaning cities won't have to choose between new bus service and other budget priorities.

Beyond bus redesigns, the bill funds bus stop improvements like shelters and seating ($5 billion), makes transit stations accessible for people with disabilities ($5 billion), and requires cities and states to prioritize bus lanes and traffic signal timing that help buses move faster and more reliably. The law also prevents cities from building new car lanes or expanding highways until they've completed all the transit improvements that bus agencies have requested. This represents a fundamental shift in how federal transportation money works—instead of automatically funding road expansion, the government is now requiring transit improvements to come first.