# Light Rail Transit Act: What You Need to Know

This bill would create a $60 billion federal grant program to help cities build and improve light rail systems over the next five years. The money would go to local governments, tribal authorities, and transit agencies that want to design, build, or upgrade light rail networks. The goal is to make public transportation more frequent and reliable, especially in neighborhoods that have historically been left behind—focusing on racial justice, economic opportunity, and environmental benefits.

Cities applying for this money would have to meet specific requirements designed to protect residents and workers. They'd need to keep housing affordable in neighborhoods getting new transit by using rent control or similar tools to prevent long-time residents from being pushed out by rising costs. They'd also have to build affordable housing near transit stations and involve community members—including labor groups, environmental advocates, and disability rights organizations—in planning decisions. The bill requires that trains run at least six times per hour, that stations be accessible to people with disabilities, and that the transit system use renewable energy like solar or wind power. Additionally, trains must be assembled in the United States by unionized workers.

The bill includes strong protections for riders and workers. Transit agencies couldn't raise fares because of improvements funded by this grant, and fares would be frozen for at least a year after projects finish. The bill also prohibits using grant money to hire armed police or fare collectors, and it prevents transit agencies from replacing existing bus or train service with self-driving vehicles. For economically disadvantaged communities, the federal government could cover up to 100 percent of project costs instead of the usual 85 percent cap, making it easier for poorer areas to access funding.

Light Rail Transit Act

Bush, Cori

Light Rail Transit Act This bill directs the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to establish a grant program to provide grants to state, local, and tribal governments for the design and implementation of light rail projects, including for the redesign, retrofit, renovation, update, and repair of existing light rail systems. As condition of receiving a grant, eligible entities must certify that fares for riding the light rail transit system shall not increase solely due to improvements carried out with grant funds and for any reason for at least one year after completion of a project funded by the bill. In carrying out the program, the FTA must prioritize projects located in economically disadvantaged communities.