FTA study: $77.7 billion needed for rail, bus transit systems

 A Federal Transit Administration study estimates the cost of bringing the nation's rail and bus transit systems into a state of good repair at $77.7 billion. In addition, a yearly average of $14.4 billion would be required to maintain the systems.

FTA’s National State of
Good Repair Assessment Study, requested by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray
LaHood as a follow-up to the 2009 Rail Modernization Study report to Congress,
provides a comprehensive analysis of the costs required to bring the nation’s
rail and bus transit systems into good operating order. The 2010 study is based
on data provided by 36 additional rail and bus operators in both rural and
urban areas.

"Transit remains one of
the safest forms of transportation, but this report shows the clear need to
reinvest in our bus, subway and light rail systems," said U.S. Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood. "As a nation, we must lead when it comes to
infrastructure development and commit ourselves to rebuilding America."

"Investment in the nation’s
transit infrastructure is important to a healthy economy and most importantly,
the safety and well being of our riders," stated Administrator Peter Rogoff. "For
millions of Americans, having a safe and reliable transit system is the
difference between seeing their children before bed or not, making it to work
on time or arriving late, or getting to a doctor’s appointment or forgoing it."

While most of the $77.7
billion backlog can be attributed to rail, more than 40 percent of the nation’s
buses are also in poor to marginal condition. 
"State of Good Repair" for the
country’s transportation network is one of the five system-wide goals included
in Secretary LaHood’s proposed Transportation. The assessment is available online at
http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_11865.html.



In April, Administrator
Rogoff announced the availability of
$775 million through a competitive State of Good Repair funding program that will invest in the nation’s bus and bus
facilities.  A review of transit agency project applications is now underway
at FTA and will be announced later this year. The FTA has received
approximately 400 project applications and more than $4.2 billion in requests
for the $775 million.