RI Secures $60.1M for Public Transit from Infrastructure Law

The Facts -

Rhode Island Secures Massive Federal Transit Funding for 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI — U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo unveiled that Rhode Island is set to receive $60,105,548 in federal funding to advance public transportation in 2024.

This substantial funding, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA), includes contributions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, and the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. The pot signifies a $4.2 million increase for the Rhode Island Public Transit Agency (RIPTA) including bus, train, and ferry services across the state.

This funding enhancement was made possible by a total $16.6 billion allocation to the FTA in the 2024 Appropriations law, marking a $1.9 billion rise from the original House of Representatives bill.

These federal funds will aid the modernization, maintenance, and operation of public transportation systems, station and track upgrades, planning new transit corridors, and enhancing accessibility for seniors and disabled riders.

Senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, Senator Reed, emphasized the crucial role of the public transit system in driving economic growth and connecting communities. He highlighted the funds' potential to improve service, invest in new technologies, and modernize infrastructure.

Senator Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, echoed Reed's sentiments, citing the immense potential of public transportation to drive economic growth and enhance quality of life.

Congressman Seth Magaziner, emphasized the importance of a reliable public transit for everyday commute, and expressed satisfaction with RIPTA’s federal funding.

Advocate for public transit, Congressman Gabe Amo, expressed pride in securing federal funds for the state’s transit agency, and emphasized the pivotal role of public transportation in community connectivity and improving lives.

The allocation to Rhode Island forms part of a $20.5 billion tranche from the U.S. Department of Transportation to bolster critical public transit infrastructures across the country. Each state has flexibility to determine how these funds can best address their needs.

While Rhode Island is expected to receive a total of $60.1 million in FY 2024, it's mentioned that the state has already received funding for the fiscal year's initial five months while operating under a short-term Continuing Resolution.

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