Congressmembers Simon, Garamendi, Garcia Call for Strong Federal Investments in Public Transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressmembers Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), and Chuy Garcia (D-IL-04) led a coalition of 30+ Members of Congress in urging leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to make a strong federal investment in public transportation in the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization process.

Current federal surface transportation law expires in September 2026, and Congress will soon consider new, multi-year legislation to plan for and execute on surface transportation infrastructure projects. Strong public transportation infrastructure funding will ensure that millions of Americans can continue to rely on safe, reliable, and efficient transit systems.

In the letter, the members write:

"Federal transit programs form the backbone of communities of all sizes, connecting people to jobs, education, and opportunity. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, transit keeps highways clear for interstate commerce and freight movement. As Congress considers the next surface transportation reauthorization, we urge you to preserve and strengthen the dedicated resources that keep these systems in a state of good repair. A critical component of this investment is the Section 5337-State of Good Repair program, which enables safe, reliable transit travel by funding rehabilitation and replacement of aging rail and bus infrastructure."

You can read the full letter here. This effort is also supported by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

"My Commission colleagues and I thank Representatives Simon, García and Garamendi for their leadership in preserving the cornerstone of the federal transportation program," said Metropolitan Transportation Commission Chair and Pleasant Hill City Councilmember Sue Noack. "Federal transit formula dollars drive the engines of prosperity for metro areas all around the country. Here in the Bay Area, we use federal formula money to help keep our transit infrastructure in good condition, which is key to safety and reliability for the million riders our systems carry each day. Thanks to this support, millions more have a viable alternative to driving. Just 3% to 5% fewer vehicles on the road can cut traffic delays by up to 70%. Without our transit formula funding in place, congestion could overwhelm highways from the Bay Area to the Beltway."

A long-time advocate for transit accessibility, Congresswoman Simon previously served on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors as a Member and as President of the Board from 2016 to 2024. She has introduced numerous transit-related bills, and she has continuously spoken about the need to stabilize transit funding at every level.

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