Federal Transit Administration

As part of President Trump’s “Get America Building Again” agenda, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently executed a first-of-its-kind agreement to streamline historic preservation reviews for transportation projects in Connecticut. The agreement delegates key responsibilities to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, giving the state more control over federally funded road, rail, and transit projects within its borders. This innovative approach is expected to reduce project timelines by at least six weeks, accelerating delivery, cutting red tape, and empowering Connecticut to lead. tinyurl.com/448uh5wd 🛤️🛣️

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. At FTA, we want our transit workers to know that we see them. When radical politicians refuse to enforce law and order the physical safety and mental health of our transit workers suffers. We recognize their commitment to keeping American families moving and call on local officials to prioritize their well-being. FTA has compiled online resources on wellness, resilience, self-care, and more to support the transit industry in addressing mental health and improving security on our nation’s transportation systems. tinyurl.com/bdrhfd79 #mentalhealthawareness

Thanks to nearly $5 million in FTA grants, Oneida Public Transit in Wisconsin recently opened a new, centrally located transit garage. The new facility will help the agency maintain its fleet, expand storage for parts and supplies, and strengthen rider connections across the Oneida Nation, including to bus transfer centers, medical facilities, and other destinations. 

Transit ridership is surging across the Bay Area. From January to March 2025, transit agencies in the region recorded 3.2 million more trips than during the same period last year. Caltrain, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, San Francisco Bay Ferry, BART, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), and more have all seen strong ridership growth. FTA is proud to support these improvements as the Bay Area continues to build a more connected, rider-focused future.

Last year, Quincy Transit in western Illinois saw a 14% increase in ridership, totaling over 280,000 rides—the highest since 2019. The agency attributes this growth to the system’s convenience and affordability, which enable residents to access jobs, healthcare, local businesses, and more. 

In Las Vegas, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is raising the bar for transit safety with a $26 million investment to enhance security systemwide, more than double its 2021 budget. The funding will support new tools like real-time officer tracking, body cameras, and state-of-the-art “nano buttons” that allow bus drivers to instantly alert security and dispatch help via GPS. FTA applauds RTCSNV’s efforts to Make Commuting Safe Again.

"The President and Secretary Duffy have made it clear that the priority is to make commuting safe again. That's why the Secretary has said that our transit agencies need to do more to improve security and deter crime and fare evasion on our transit systems to regain the trust of our commuters." - FTA Acting Administrator Tariq Bokhari at the 2025 American Public Transportation Association Legislative Conference

Bay Area Rural Transit recently opened its new administrative and maintenance facility in Park Falls, WI, to support its growing transit operations in Price County. Funded in part by $1.6 million through FTA’s Formula Grants for Rural Areas program, the facility will help BART keep riders connected to jobs, healthcare, and other essential destinations across north-central Wisconsin. 

In California, Orange County Transportation Authority will begin testing its first modern streetcar system this summer with service expected to launch next spring. The OC Streetcar, funded with a $148 million FTA New Starts grant during President Trump’s first term, will run on a four-mile route between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove, connecting some of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Orange County. Riders can expect service every 10-15 minutes at 10 stations.

In Ohio, Cincinnati Metro, Butler County Regional Transit Authority, and TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) launched a new pilot service that makes travel across agency borders easier for riders with wheelchairs. Launched on May 5th, the six-month program offers one-way rides for $8. Eligible passengers must be ADA-certified and request trips that begin and end within three-quarters of a mile from a Go Metro, Butler County RTA, or TANK route. The service will operate three vehicles throughout the trial period, each with up to 10 seats.