The U.S. Senate yesterday approved a fiscal-year 2019 appropriations bill that provides $16.1 billion for public transit.
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2019 also dedicates $2.5 billion for intercity passenger-rail grants. The rail and transit funding levels are $1.3 billion more than authorized by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act for FY2019, according to a press release issued by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
The bill also funds the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grants program at $2.5 billion, marking a $92 million decrease from FY18, according to a statement issued by nonprofit advocacy group Transportation for America. In addition, the legislation allocates $1 billion for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants program.
Meanwhile, the Senate approved an amendment authored by U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) to provide $50 million to maintain Amtrak's Southwest Chief service. The amendment would provide the resources needed for maintenance and safety improvements along the route, according to a press release issued by Moran's office.
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Source: Progressive Railroading
