• Core federal funding for public transportation is largely intact.
• Transit agencies are managing operating costs and workforce shortages.
• There is a trend towards more rapid bus transit and enhanced corridors.
• Electric buses are becoming standard in fleet planning.
• Electrification is central to future transit planning.
• Fare-free bus proposals are gaining political traction.
• New York's MTA has increased fares despite fare-free discussions.
• Advocates argue for treating transit as essential infrastructure.
• Transit funding debates are about more than just fares.
• Agencies face challenges with charging infrastructure for electric buses.

Federal Transit Funding

• American Public Transportation Association (APTA): Federal funding and policy updates https://www.apta.com

• Federal Transit Administration: Transit funding programs https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding

Transit Expansion Trends

• Overview of upcoming U.S. transit project openings and expansion trends https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rabbit-link_13-transit-projects-expected-to-open-in-the-activity-7419861373377089536-JVsQ

• Axios: Coverage of major rail openings and delays (Seattle example) https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/23/seattle-bellevue-light-rail-opening-east-link-delay-i90

Electric Buses & Fleet Electrification

• Sustainable Bus: Global electric bus news and analysis https://www.sustainable-bus.com

• FTA Low or No Emission (Low-No) Program https://www.newsweek.com/zohran-mamdani-faces-backlash-as-bus-fares-rise-in-new-york-city-11310481

• Streetsblog NYC: Fare-free bus results and advocacy perspective https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/01/23/letter-to-mamdani-from-maryland-free-buses-are-working-great

Coming Next Week

• Interview with The War on Cars podcast hosts Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon https://thewaroncars.org